Police Allow Street Party To Continue As Residents Comply With Social Distancing

Police allowed a raucous street party in Hull to continue after observing that residents were complying with social distancing measures.

As the Easter weekend got under way on Good Friday, primary school teacher and DJ Chris Marshall decided to get his decks out to raise morale on the street where he has lived for 30 years.

He told The Hull Daily Mail: "At 6pm I got all the kit out within the boundaries of my front yard, played some music out and did a little soundcheck, then turned round and seemingly every other house was out.

"People were bringing patio sets round to their front lawns and people were stood in their yards, some people opened up windows and were sat inside watching. There were other families with like five children all out enjoying their own space.

"It just went absolutely mental. Everyone stuck to the social distancing and there was no partying in the street but the atmosphere was something I've never seen before."

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But Chris and the residents of Southcoates Avenue thought the fun was over when the police turned up at around 8.45pm, having heard word of a party. However, he and his socially distancing neighbours were pleasantly surprised when the police left them to it.

Chris said: "They were fantastic. They came straight over to me and the officer said he'd never seen anything like it and just asked if everything was all right and what time we were looking at finishing.

"They were absolutely lovely and they got back in their car and got a big cheer as they drove off."

The idea for the street party was inspired by the weekly Clap for our Carers and fellow Southcoates Avenue resident and hospital worker Aaron Howlett said the party had a 'huge impact on morale'.

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He said: "It is safe to say that Southcoates Avenue friends and neighbours are very much closer because of this.

"I work at a hospital and it has literally brought tears to my eyes every Thursday with a turnout from residents to clap for carers and NHS staff that really has been truly amazing.

"Everybody is really pulling together and it's brought the whole avenue together. People you say 'hi' to each day and pass in the street are now much more than that. The majority of residents are very community-spirited, from washing each other's windows to shopping for the elderly and vulnerable.

"There is something very special happening amid all the uncertainty which is extremely heartwarming."

Humberside Police declined to comment when approached by LADbible.

Let's all bring some positivity, support and fun to anyone who might find themselves in isolation as a result of the coronavirus spread. Need some entertainment? Join Isolation Nation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coronasupport/

Topics: Police, UK News, Awesome, Coronavirus, Community

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey