Woodhouse Moor Hyde Park: Public react to 'disgusting' state of park after sunbathers left it laden with rubbish

As Leeds has welcomed another day of glorious sun, one person from the Leedsplace Facebook page said that the mess should be left, and that the litterers should be made to “sit/lay in their own mess today”.

Hundreds of people gathered on Woodhouse Moor yesterday as temperatures reached 21C.

One commenter hit hard at students, calling them “scruffy tramps with no respect” while another said Leeds universities “should pay for private rubbish collectors”.

Blaming young people for the mess, one woman commented: “I thought this was the generation who cared about the planet. Absolutely appalling.

“Where are they going to sit today and enjoy the sunshine in this shameful mess?”

A student commented in defence of this claim, saying: “Can’t tarnish all students with the same brush. In fact a lot of people that went were not even students.

“Majority of students have gone back home for Easter break or are at home because uni is online.

“I’m a student and I didn’t go, don’t ruin the reputation of a group because of the minority.”

Others defended the litterers and claimed it was largely due people fleeing in a panic in response to the armed police attending amid reports of a man with a knife, but many claim the litter had been abandoned before this.

The common sentiment from the online reaction to the mess was disgust and worry about the treatment of the city’s beautiful green spaces.

One commenter said: “ruining our beautiful city… we are so lucky to have such beautiful areas in Leeds and people like this just make me feel sick! Time we had park rangers.”

A lot said the people who had left the park in such a state should be back today to clean it up.

Others took the view that the council should have taken action by supplying more bins and preparing for the heatwave.

One man commented: “ I agree it’s disgusting. Really is. Take it home - BUT - it’s not like the council are not aware of the weather conditions.

“The first time in four months we’ve been allowed to see people. And good weather - public spaces were sure to be busy.

“You can’t tell me this wasn’t expected?- and if so? Where are the bins? A skip maybe if its extra busy.

“Provide people with facilities and I'm sure there would be less of an issue.”

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "We continue to be in our communities, engaging and explaining and encouraging people to follow the new restrictions.

“We would like to remind people that we are still in a pandemic and will disperse groups of over six - using fines where appropriate to do so.”

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