CLEVELAND Police received 284 reports relating to social distancing measures being broken and stretched over the weekend.

With the sunshine attracting people outside and government regulations being slightly eased after stringent lockdown measures were previously in place, plenty of people across the region went too far.

Street parties, gatherings in parks and beaches and an incident in Preston Park were all reported.

Head of Policing, Chief Superintendent Thom McLoughlin of Cleveland Police said: “Over the weekend we received 284 reports relating to Covid tensions, the majority of these reports were of youths gathering in parks and in relation to house and street parties.

“Some of the reports we have received have highlighted that up to 100 youths are gathering in particular parks and beaches, some of them drinking alcohol.

“The government has clearly stated that people still need to maintain their distance from others and although the restrictions have lifted slightly, people’s lives are still at risk and it is vitally important that we adhere to the government’s’ regulations to protect the vulnerable people living in our communities.

“The reports we received over the weekend are concerning for us and it clearly shows that there are a minority of young people who are not taking Covid-19 seriously.’’

He added: “Officers attended Preston Park in Eaglescliffe on Sunday night after receiving a report of a group of youths drinking and causing a nuisance. Police attended and the youths were dispersed, three males in their 20’s were given a caution for being in the possession of cannabis and officers had to put out a small fire.

“This is just one example of some of the incidents we have dealt with over the weekend and I want to make it clear that the Force will not tolerate this behaviour.’’

Further afield, and Richmond in North Yorkshire was overcrowded at the weekend as crowds gathered and Cleveland Police will be patrolling parks and beaches on their own patch.

The Chief Superintendent added: “I would also like to take this opportunity to ask parents to encourage their children to maintain social distancing and to not hang around in large groups and discourage them from drinking alcohol outside for the sake of their health and other family members who may be vulnerable to catching Covid-19.

“Lastly, I would like to thank the majority of people who adhered to government guidelines over the weekend, we know it isn’t easy when the weather is nice but it is thanks their efforts that the restrictions have lifted slightly.’’