Families 'break in and have a picnic' in south Leeds playground

Video sent to the Yorkshire Evening Post shows several groups of people playing on the equipment in Middleton Park at midday today (Saturday, May 9).

Leeds City Council closed all of its playgrounds shortly before lockdown.

The government guidelines remain that people should stay at home unless they are shopping for essentials, getting medical help, exercising once per day or travelling to work if unable to do so from home.

The woman who sent the video said the people in the playground will have had to breach a clearly marked fence all the way around it.

A sign on the fence read: "In the interest of public safety and and to assist in reducing the spread of Covid-19 this games area is NOW CLOSED.

"Inspection of the equipment is also suspended at this time.

"Please assist with the reduction of the spread of Covid-19 by not using this area."

The woman who took the video said: "People were clearly not adhering to government guidelines as well as breaching the clearly marked fence all around to stop people entering.

"This is frustrating and unfair to those of the public who are following the guidelines.

"Surely fines should be issued for this lack of respect and ignorance?"

She said she could see three separate groups in the playground, including children and a couple having a picnic.