Pictures: Aftermath of large gathering and ‘partying’ at Forest Rec in Nottingham

Large numbers of people gathered at Forest Recreation Ground after two Nottingham Parks were closed yesterday.

Nottingham City Council closed Arboretum and Lenton parks after scenes on Monday, the day lockdown restrictions started easing in England.

This morning there is litter and waste strewn all over the recreation ground after gatherings last night.

Food, paper and plastic waste and drug paraphernalia are all over the park.

Nottinghamshire Police said:

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“We have had a large presence at Forest Rec today and have been engaging with people encouraging them to comply with the restrictions.

“While we can understand people wanting to be out in this nice weather we are currently having, we are still in the midst of a pandemic.

“That is why it is imperative that we all still follow the guidance. Under current rules two households or groups of six people can meet up outside. We thank those who have been sticking to these rules.

“We will of course still take action if we encounter clear breaches which are putting people’s lives in danger.”

Speaking yesterday after the park closures, Cllr David Mellen, leader of Nottingham City Council said:

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City Council Leader, Cllr David Mellen, said: “We have taken steps to prevent a repeat of the appalling scenes we witnessed at the Arboretum on Monday evening. Today, the Arboretum is closed along with Lenton Recreation Ground where similar problems arose.

“We regret having to take this action, since everyone has been looking forward to the chance to visit our parks, now that easing of restrictions means we can meet up to six other people outdoors. Sadly, the actions of a thoughtless minority has spoilt that. We will keep the situation under review and hope to reopen parks as soon as possible. The Forest recreation ground remains open and is a larger, safer space where people can spread out more easily.

“It is unacceptable and unsustainable for our already thinly-stretched crews to have to be redeployed from work in communities across our city to clear up mess left behind at our parks. We have added extra bins – and we implore people to take their rubbish away with them if these become full and dispose of it responsibly.

“I am really grateful to our teams who have worked incredibly hard to clean up the parks, and to voluntary Clean Champions from our communities and the universities who turned up to help out.

“At our other parks, we have increased patrols of Community Protection Officers who along with police officers will continue to rigorously enforce the ban on drinking in public spaces that’s in place across Nottingham.

“None of this would be necessary if people took their own personal responsibility seriously, especially at a time when we need to be much more cautious in the way we behave and follow the gradual lifting of restrictions, if we are to hope to put this pandemic behind us.”