Social distancing ignored in mass snowball fight in Leeds park

Scores of young people defied Covid lockdown restrictions to take part in a snowball fight at a park in Leeds on Thursday.

Video posted to social media around lunchtime shows a large crowd gathered in Hyde Park amid the wintry conditions.

Many of those present can be seen hurling snowballs at one another while ignoring social distancing guidelines.

The law states that people must only leave their homes for essential purposes such as work, shopping for essential items and exercise.

When people do go outside for these essential purposes, they must keep 2 metres apart from others and wear a face covering when entering shops.

Anyone caught breaking the rules can be given a fixed penalty notice of £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400.

If you hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of over 30 people, the police can issue fines of £10,000.