To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Lambeth Council Closes Park After 3,000 People Visit During Lockdown

Lambeth Council Closes Park After 3,000 People Visit During Lockdown

Police advised the council to take the step after seeing large groups gathering over the weekend

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

A London council has closed a park after it was visited by more than 3,000 people on Saturday (4 April), despite the lockdown.

Lambeth Council announced last night that a 'minority' of people were seen sunbathing and gathering in large groups, so the decision was taken to shut Brockwell Park, south of Brixton.

Posting on social media, the council said it had been advised by the police to take the extra measures.

The statement read: "Despite clear advice, over 3,000 people spent today in Brockwell Park, many of them sunbathing or in large groups. This is unacceptable. Unfortunately, the actions of a minority now mean that, following police advice, Brockwell Park will be closed tomorrow."

The council then later added: "We are sorry we've had to take this decision. This wouldn't need to happen if people followed the clear instructions from the Govt.

"We are doing this for the wider safety of the public. A minority of people have not followed the guidance - regrettably we have to act."

Brockwell Park, pre-lockdown.
PA

Earlier in the day, local residents shared their concerns with the council after seeing groups visiting the park.

Asking for it to be closed, one person wrote: "Really think @lambeth_council need to close #BrockwellPark - I've been going there for my daily walk and every single time some idiot jogger has come within 1-2 feet of me and there are groups everywhere.

"Close it this weekend - people clearly care more about good weather than heath."

This comes after the UK government urged people to stay home this weekend to help protect the NHS.

During yesterday's daily briefing, Michael Gove, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said it was vital that people played their part to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

Seven healthcare workers have now lost their lives to Covid-19, Mr Gove added.

It comes as the UK suffered its worst day of fatalities, with 708 people having died of Covid-19 - including a five-year-old, and 13-year-old Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab.

Mr Gove said he hoped their deaths would not be in vain and pressed the importance of people staying home.

Lambeth Council has now closed the park.
PA

He said: "We offer our heartfelt condolences. You must stay at home. Take pride in keeping your own families safe.

"I know life under lockdown can be challenging and some will be tempted on a sunny weekend to venture out.

"But if we relax our adherence to the rules we increase the risk for others - that's why it is so important to stay at home."

He added: "We need to reduce social contact, stop transmission and reduce the spread.

"Please don't go outside to visit the lakes, the beaches, the countryside.

"The more we restrict contact, the more we slow the spread of the infection, the more time we have to build capacity in the NHS to treat those in need."

It's okay to not panic. LADbible and UNILAD's aim with our Coronavirus campaign, Cutting Through, is to provide our community with facts and stories from the people who are either qualified to comment or have experienced first-hand the situation we're facing. For more information from the World Health Organisation on Coronavirus, click here.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, Interesting, Coronavirus, Health