{"id":31239,"date":"2021-02-11T11:00:25","date_gmt":"2021-02-11T11:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shefnews.co.uk\/?p=31239"},"modified":"2021-02-11T11:00:25","modified_gmt":"2021-02-11T11:00:25","slug":"police-to-increase-covid-patrols-in-light-of-student-parties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shefnews.co.uk\/index.php\/2021\/02\/11\/police-to-increase-covid-patrols-in-light-of-student-parties\/","title":{"rendered":"Police to increase COVID patrols in light of student parties"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Yorkshire Police have said they are \u2018conducting additional patrols\u2019, alongside an increased university security presence, in the Ranmoor area of Sheffield to crack down on breaches of government guidelines.<\/p>\n

This comes after a party of over 150 students was raided in Ranmoor student accommodation in the early hours of 4th February. 14 officers were on the scene, with one officer injured as attendees broke out of fire exits to flee the illegal gathering.<\/p>\n

Sheffield City Centre Inspector, Ali Bywater, said: \u201cIt is absolutely appalling to see people show such blatant disregard for not just their own safety, but the safety of others.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe actions of all those present were incredibly selfish and the fact that so many went to great lengths to flee from officers is evidence that they knew what they were doing was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

The University of Sheffield were quick to strongly condemn the breach of regulations by students and say that University Security Services and SYP have been working very closely. The University has also said that they will \u201ccontinue to take action\u201d against reports of anti-social behaviour.<\/p>\n

\u00a0This is the latest police force to turn their attention to student parties, with Lancashire Police announcing a \u201cclamp down\u201d following gatherings at the University of Lancaster and police horses seen on campus at Edge Hill University.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Police horses have been roaming the campus of Edge Hill University following a student part on Wigan Road, Ormskirk.<\/p><\/div>\n

However, Wiktoria Wrzyszcz, 20, a resident of Ranmoor student village, said: \u201cI received an email saying that the police will be on campus, but to be honest I haven\u2019t noticed any difference.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was around midnight when I heard some noises. I remember that I closed the window because of it. I wasn\u2019t aware of the scale of the party because I am used to people partying within their households several times a week.\u201d Ms Wrzyszcz added that she doesn\u2019t feel the threat of fines is effective in stopping lockdown parties.<\/p>\n

Police handed out \u00a334,000 worth of fines to partygoers, including a \u00a310,000 Fixed Penalty Notice to the organiser, although data from criminal records office Acro<\/em> shows that only 2.6% of COVID fines from 2020 have been paid.<\/p>\n

Ranmoor residents have been notified that the police will continue to investigate illegal gatherings in the area.<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83d\udcfd\ufe0f\ud83d\ude94 We issued over \u00a334K in fines yesterday after breaking up a party in #Sheffield<\/a><\/p>\n

Over 150 people are said to have been partying inside a student flat before breaking out of fire exits as police and security arrived. https:\/\/t.co\/wLrwd6wIgZ<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/rMG5JNS7bZ<\/a><\/p>\n

— South Yorkshire Police (@syptweet) February 5, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n