Gangs of teenagers spark call for Portsmouth area to 'not throw good work away' as lockdown is eased

MEDICS and politicians have urged everyone not to give up on social distancing – after large gangs of youths have been reported congregating across the area.
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Today lockdown measures have been eased – with the law now allowing different households to meet up provided that social distancing, maintaining two metres between people, is observed.

But after increasing reports of large groups of teenagers meeting, the authorities are worried that the efforts made so far, which resulted in a relatively low number of coronavirus cases in Portsmouth in May, could be wasted as groups of people are more likely to spread the virus.

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Last week The News reported praise being heaped on Portsmouth residents, as new stats showed that only eight people in Portsmouth tested positive for coronavirus between May 9 and May 23. At 3.7 cases per 100,000 people, that placed Portsmouth 299th out of 313 council areas in England for those two weeks. Fareham and Gosport were not far behind, with 7.7 and 7.1 cases per 100,000 population respectively. Havant was 107th in the country with 22.2 people per 100,000.

Residents have reported up to 20 young people breaking social distancing guidelines outside a kebab shop in Tangier Road, BaffinsResidents have reported up to 20 young people breaking social distancing guidelines outside a kebab shop in Tangier Road, Baffins
Residents have reported up to 20 young people breaking social distancing guidelines outside a kebab shop in Tangier Road, Baffins

While then the figures were praised as a testament to the ‘sacrifice’ that people had made in a densely populated city, reports of large groups of youths congregating are causing worry that a rise in the number of cases could be imminent.

On Friday night, two separate 100-strong groups were reported in the Fareham borough, one at Cams Alders in Palmerston Drive, Fareham, and one at Wicor rec in Cranleigh Road, Portchester. And Southsea Common has been a hotspot for gatherings – with the additional problem of large amounts of rubbish being left behind each night.

A large group has also been spotted on Portsmouth rugby fields in Hilsea, while groups are congregating outside fast food takeaways, such as the Copnor Grill in Tangier Road, Baffins.

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The statement from Fareham police about Friday night said: ‘Portchester Wicor Recreation ground was patrolled. There were about 100 youths in the field.

Youths gathering on Portsmouth Rugby Club's fieldsYouths gathering on Portsmouth Rugby Club's fields
Youths gathering on Portsmouth Rugby Club's fields

‘Cams Alders Field was also patrolled and there was a mass group of around 100 all local youths. This group were given a talking to and advised to move on.

‘Two youths were on the back of a moped driving over the grass field. Details of both were taken, although one individual decided he didn’t want to stay chat with us.’

The crowds of youths were ‘absolutely reckless’ and were risking their parents incurring a fine, according to Fareham Borough Council leader Sean Woodward.

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He said: ‘There’s only one word for this – and it is reckless. It is absolutely reckless.

Southsea beach last week
Picture: Sarah Standing (210520-2502)Southsea beach last week
Picture: Sarah Standing (210520-2502)
Southsea beach last week Picture: Sarah Standing (210520-2502)

‘If the police do take harsher actions, it will be the parents who wind up paying the fine.

‘It would be a good idea if they find out where their kids are and keep them at home instead.

‘If they get ill and infect each other, I’m sure they don’t want to pass that on to a parent or grandparent.’

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The statement from Fareham police team continued: ‘Please consider when your child leaves the house and says they are going to meet up with their friends, where are they actually going?

A large group of youths gathers on Salterns rec in Portsmouth on Saturday nightA large group of youths gathers on Salterns rec in Portsmouth on Saturday night
A large group of youths gathers on Salterns rec in Portsmouth on Saturday night

‘With some familiar faces recognised we know that these youths are local and are contributing to the Covid-19 breaches.

‘We would like to press some responsibility to parents because if you don’t know where your child is, how do you know they aren’t in these big groups?’

A carer who slammed the ‘Benidorm-like’ crowds that have been congregating across Southsea Common, the Hot Walls, and the surrounding areas over the previous fortnight, said the issue had only got worse in the last week.

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‘'It's got worse in the last week,’ she said. ‘It’s dreadful out there - it’s so busy across the city. Everyone has gone crazy with the nice weather.’

Meanwhile, a video that captured teenagers gathering in Baffins has seen a resident plead with police to deal with both anti-social behaviour and social distancing breaches.

The Tangier Road resident, who asked not to be named, has caught on camera a group of more than a dozen young people outside Copnor Grill at 8pm on Thursday May 28.

A large group of youths on Salterns rec on Saturday nightA large group of youths on Salterns rec on Saturday night
A large group of youths on Salterns rec on Saturday night

Residents have pleaded for the police to tackle ‘disgusting’ crowds of teenagers repeatedly breaking social distancing guidelines and hurling abuse at those trying to move on the group.

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The strip of shops along Tangier has been ‘inundated’ with crowds throughout the week, according to the resident.

She said: ‘They clearly have got no idea what is going on in the world.

‘The road has been inundated with youngsters every night – they are on motorcycles going up and down doing wheelies, and they are blowing up balloons full of laughing gas.

‘Last week, a man came out of his house to tell them to move on, and they were swearing at him.

‘It’s just disgusting – their parents should be ashamed.’

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The owner of the takeaway, Mehmet Benli, said he asked all customers to practise safe social distancing and move on once they had their order.

With the government easing the lockdown, there is the danger of people thinking ‘we are back to normal’, according to the MP for Portsmouth North, Penny Mordaunt.

She said: ‘The danger is that we think we are back to normal – we are not. The virus is still at large. We must not let up in social distancing or basic hand washing, or not touching the same objects or our faces.

‘Let get back into those good habits – if we do we won’t have to lock down again.

‘Keep going folks.’

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Following social distance guidance has had the ‘real impact’ of saving lives, according to Dr John Knighton, medical director at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

He said: ‘We have seen that following guidance to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 can have a real impact on the rate of transmission and help save lives.

‘The recent announcement means small groups will be able to meet up with each other in open spaces, however social distancing remains important.

‘Everyone has done a fantastic job so far, but we still have a way to go and need you to continue following government guidance and protect yourself and your loved ones from the virus.’

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Police are ‘stepping up’ high visibility patrols in Portsmouth following reports of anti-social behaviour involving large groups, according to a spokesman from Hampshire Constabulary.

He said: ‘It is important to remember that we don’t enforce social distancing, but our officers will take action against those engaging in activities that are unlawful.’

Last week Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan urged people to keep social distancing. He said: ‘For the sake of front-line workers and the safety of the vulnerable in our community, we must not now take our eyes off the ball.

‘Our actions at this stage are critical. The need to continue practising social distancing and be led by science is more important than ever. I have every faith that our city will carry on these efforts.’

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And speaking about Portsmouth’s low infection rate in May, last week Portsmouth council leader Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson said: ‘People in Portsmouth have really done well.

‘I think the rules are starting to become second nature. People don't complain when they go to the shops and have to stand two metres apart in the queue and we need to maintain that.

‘Now people are able to spend more time outdoors but as long as they keep two metres away from people who aren't in their households that's fine.’

Tory group leader for the city, Cllr Donna Jones, added last week: ‘Being the most densely populated city in the country outside of London, with many front doors just inches from each other, the death toll from this global pandemic could have been so much worse. Most people in the city have listened, they’ve acted responsibly and they have restricted the spread of the virus.'