East Herts Council closes Sawbridgeworth skate park to deter gathering

Council chiefs closed off a skate park in Sawbridgeworth on Monday to help police in managing social distancing and to “deter groups of residents gathering together”.

East Herts Council closed the facility in Vantorts Park and one in Hertford in the light of a rapid increase in Covid-19 cases in the district.

A spokeswoman for the council said: “We have made the decision to close both our skate parks to help assist Herts police in managing social distancing and deter groups of residents gathering together.

“As we all know, there has been a rise in cases in East Herts and we must all play our part to ensure that the infection rate is reduced. We will regularly review this.”

Neighbourhood police have been patrolling the town after appeals by residents for a crackdown on drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.

The Bishop's Stortford skate park – in Sworder's Field in Castle Park – is managed by the town council.