Plea after groups of children reported in Hartlepool's parks, breaching lockdown

Council Chief Executive Gill Alexander says everyone regardless of their age must stick to the restrictions on movement, including social distancing, to help prevent the spread of coronavirus and save lives.

She appealed for parents to make sure that their children follow the rules too. It follows recent incidents of people ignoring the regulation, including children and young people congregating in groups in and around the town’s parks.

Ms Alexander said: “Every single person, regardless of their age, must play their part to help prevent the spread of the infection – only leaving home if it’s absolutely necessary and staying two metres away from other people at all times.

“It’s important for parents to please make sure that they know where their children are at all times and to ensure that the children, too, follow the rules.

“By all following the rules, we can protect ourselves and our families and play a key role in helping to protect the NHS and save lives.”

Parks in the town closed briefly last week but reopened so people in the vicinity could continue to use them as part of their daily allowed exercise.

But people must stick to social distancing and keep at least two metres (six feet) of others they don’t live with.

People are also reminded that police now have the power to issue on the spot fines of £60 for people out without a reasonable excuse and £120 for repeat offenders.

Hartlepool Borough Council has reiterated that people should only leave their homes when absolutely necessary for shopping for basic necessities, but as infrequently as possible; for health reasons, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person; and travelling to and from work when it can’t be done from home.

Exercise activity must start and finish at home. Although parks are open, children’s play areas remain closed to prevent people congregating in groups and because the virus can live on some hard surfaces for hours.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you