Met Office issues urgent Leeds weather warning for three days of snow and ice

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for snow and ice, which lasts from 9pm on Monday (February 1) to just before midnight on Wednesday (February 3).

Snow, with a risk of widespread ice, is likely to push slowly northeast from late Monday, bringing difficult travel conditions, according to the forecaster.

People can expect possible travel delays on roads stranding some vehicles and passengers, with bus and train services potentially delayed or cancelled.

Some road closures and longer journey times are possible and power cuts may occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected

There is a chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces and untreated pavements and cycle paths might be impassable.

Leeds has been hit with two snow spells already this month, with much of the city brought to a standstill after a blizzard on January 14.

A huge snowball fight was also organised on Woodhouse Moor - the ringleaders have since been hit with £10,000 fines.

What happened in the Leeds snowball fight?

Hundreds of people gathered in Woodhouse Moor for a snowball fight on Tuesday, January 14, after heavy snowfall in the city.

Around 200 people took part in the fight, which seemed to have been organised via social media.

It lasted for more than two hours and many people were in close proximity to one another.

What rules did the fight break?

The rules issued by the government state that people should minimise time spent outside their home, but can leave to exercise.

People can exercise in a public outdoor place alone, with people they live with, with a support/childcare bubble or with one person from another household.

When around other people, people must stay two metres apart from anyone not in their household.

The police can take action against people meet in larger groups.

This includes breaking up illegal gatherings and issuing fines (fixed penalty notices).

People who hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of more than 30 people, can be fined £10,000.

How did people respond to the snowball fight?

Photographer Liam Ford videoed the scene on the moor and shared it on social media to highlight the lack of social distancing.

At the time, Mr Ford said: "We were going for a walk in the park, it's literally around the corner from our house, and we heard all this commotion.

"I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"There were two groups of around 100 people each side, stood apart, charging at each other and throwing snowballs.

"I was stood there for a good ten minutes and there times when it quietened down and then picked back up again.

"It just shows a blatant disregard for the NHS and the strain it is under."

However, 20-year-old student Adam, who did not wish to give his last name, said: "I think a lot of people were just in the park anyway enjoying the snow and joined in,” he said.

“It was a very welcome relief… a welcome laugh that people needed.

“I know many students who are extremely depressed, and stressed with online exams and have had little support.

“Mental health is equally as important as physical health… so many young people and students really have nothing to keep them going at this point.”

How did police respond?

Two men who were involved in organising the snowball fight have now been fined for breaching Covid restrictions, West Yorkshire Police said.

The men, aged 20 and 23 were identified and interviewed by police over the course of two days from Wednesday, January 27 and Thursday, January 28.

They were both reported for fixed penalty notices to be issued against them.

The fines are £10,000 each.

The 23-year-old had previously received a fine for breaching restrictions in relation to mixing households at an address in Hyde Park in November.

What was the police statement?

Chief Superintendent Damien Miller, Leeds District Commander, said: “We take absolutely no pleasure in handing out such heavy fines to these two young men but their actions encouraged hundreds of people to be in close proximity to each other, creating a significant and completely unnecessary risk of increasing the spread of the virus.

“It was a blatant breach of the legislation that is in place to help keep people safe at what remains a critical time for us all.

“The event attracted understandable media attention and widespread public condemnation of all those who irresponsibly took part.

“That said, it remains clear that the vast majority of people recognise the need for collective responsibility and are continuing to stick with the regulations that are there to protect our families and our communities.

“We will continue our approach of engaging, explaining and encouraging compliance but we won’t hesitate to enforce the law where people blatantly disregard the rules and put others at risk.”