Police warn parents of fines for Leeds teenagers gathering in groups breaking Covid lockdown rules

Officers from the East Leeds Neighbourhood Policing Team have questioned whether parents know where their children are going when they leave home.

They said that across the team's area people are doing their best to play a part in reducing the spread of Covid, but that they are seeing 'regular' incidents of large groups of teenagers gathering.

Police reminded parents that because the rule-breakers are not adults, the responsibility for fines for breaching regulations will fall on them.

They also reiterated that it is currently the law to stay at home which is guidance that should be followed immediately and that this is the single most important action to protect the NHS and save lives.

The East Leeds Neighbourhood Policing Team covers Whinmoor, parts of Cross Gates, Halton, Garforth, Swillington, Allerton Bywater, Kippax, Methley and Micklefield.

A post on the West Yorkshire Police Leeds East Facebook page said: "Across the team's area people are doing their best to play a part in reducing the spread of Covid 19.

"Unfortunately we are seeing regular incidents of large groups of teenagers gathering.

"As they are not adults the responsibility for any fines for breaching the regulation will fall on the parents.

"Do you know where your children are going when they leave the home?

"As a reminder the current rules are posted below

"Summary: what you can and cannot do during the national lockdown

"You must stay at home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

"You should follow this guidance immediately. This is the law.

"Leaving home

"You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:

- shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person

- go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home

- exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person (in which case you should stay 2m apart). Exercise should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.

- meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one

- seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)

- attend education or childcare - for those eligible

"If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay in your local area - unless it is necessary to go further, for example to go to work.

"Staying in your local area means stay in the village, town, or part of the city where you live.

"If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you are advised to only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential. We recommend that you do not attend work

"Meeting others

- You cannot leave your home to meet socially with anyone you do not live with or are not in a support bubble with (if you are legally permitted to form one).

- You may exercise on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.

- You cannot meet other people you do not live with, or have not formed a support bubble with, unless for a permitted reason.

"Stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household or support bubble."