Woodhouse Moor: Hyde Park rubbish chaos 'hugely frustrating' says Leeds Council after big cleanup

Crowds of people visited the park on Tuesday, March 30 to enjoy the hottest day of the year so far.

Under current Covid-19 guidelines, six people or two households are allowed to meet outdoors.

However, the council and nearby residents were shocked to discover that piles of litter, food packaging and beer bottles were left strewn across the park on Wednesday morning.

Cleaners from the council, assisted by volunteers, were tasked with removing the deluge of rubbish.

The council said it had to divert workers from other parts of the city to assist in the clean-up.

A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “The recent easing of some lockdown measures including new guidance around meeting other individuals outdoors coupled with a spell of warm weather this week has led to a large increase in the number of people using parks all across Leeds.

“As a result, there has been a huge amount of litter left behind on Woodhouse Moor which is both hugely frustrating and disappointing.

“Our parks staff are currently working extremely hard to empty bins and pick up litter, not just at Woodhouse Moor but across all our parks in Leeds.

"We have also had to divert a significant number of Cleaner Neighbourhoods Team staff from other important work to help with the clean-up at Woodhouse Moor.

“We again ask that visitors to Woodhouse Moor and all our parks and green spaces please take their rubbish home or dispose of it in an appropriate manner.”

“We are also urging residents to continue to respect all of the coronavirus guidance currently in place, including adhering to rules on social distancing and gatherings.

"This is vitally important if we are to continue to protect the health and wellbeing of ourselves and others.”

The clean-up operation comes as West Yorkshire Police confirmed that two teenagers were arrested in connection with a fight involving machetes in Woodhouse Moor.

At around 8.15pm on Tuesday evening, police were called to reports of men being injured in the park after men had been seen with machetes.

Armed police and a police helicopter searched the park but no one was found with injuries and no suspects were identified.

Following this, two 17-year-olds went to hospital with serious injuries that, according to police, were consistent with having been attacked with weapons.

Both have been arrested on suspicion of affray and are still in hospital receiving treatment for injuries that are not considered to be life-threatening.

Police believe that the violence was targeted and involved people who were known to each other.

Around 200 people who had gathered in the park were dispersed by police officers who stayed in the Woodhouse Moor area after the machete reports.