Police intervene as crowds of young people gather in York city centre
Crowds of young people descended on the centre of York this afternoon (Sunday), prompting a police response.
At one stage a group of them tore off sections of foam protector from scaffolding poles and staged a mock fight on High Ousegate.
One witness said: “Social distancing is complete out of the window. Town seems full of hyperactive teenagers.
“They have ripped the cladding off scaffolding and are using it to play fight.”
He said they were a mixture of teenagers and people in their early 20s.
‘Keeps me away’
Another resident said on Twitter: “I always find groups of hens, stags and other drunken crowds in York on a weekend very intimidating, having been at the receiving end of abuse last weekend.
“It’s not on, I know there’s a lot done to deal with it, but still, keeps me away from York streets on weekend days.”
And a tourist responded: “It’s my first visit to York and I’m blown by the hundreds of youngsters running the streets! Absolute madness.”
Others pointed out that yesterday was the final day of the Ebor Festival at York Racecourse. And, although this year’s event was held behind closed doors, it traditionally attracts young people to the city for the weekend.
