UK parks and beaches strewn with litter after revellers packed public spaces to celebrate COVID lockdown end

Revellers flocked to the UK’s public places to celebrate as COVID rules eased, sparking fury at the mountains of litter and fears of another lockdown.

If there’s one thing Brits are known for, it’s crowding every inch of grass and beach to drink themselves silly as soon as a ray of sunshine pierces the omnipresent cloud.

And so it came to pass, as inevitably as a regrettable Wednesday hangover, that when England’s lockdown easing coincided with the hottest March day in 53 years, things got out of hand.

Revellers packed parks from London to Leeds on Tuesday and Brighton Beach on the south coast was filled with families and friends soaking up the unusually high 24C temperatures.

Many onlookers were distressed by the mountains of litter left behind at public places by groups embracing their freedom — as well as concerned about the risk of spreading the virus.

The chaotic scenes came after the country’s third, months-long COVID-19 lockdown was eased on Monday to allow groups of six to meet outdoors.

Crowds pack Brighton beach in England as 24C temperatures coincided with the easing of lockdown rules. Picture: Chris Eades/Getty Images

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It appeared many were flouting the rules as they drank alcohol, inhaled nitrous oxide from balloons and embraced in large groups ignoring advice around social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus.

Twitter user Heather shared a photo of the litter left in Hyde Park in Leeds, writing, “my blood is boiling - people should feel ashamed of themselves this is f***ing disgusting. me and some other girls are going for a clean up at 11:30 this morning if anyone else wants to join.”

Another user wrote: “The pictures from Hyde Park in Leeds are disgraceful. I hope the people who were there see the pictures this morning & feel ashamed.”

Hyde Park in Leeds is trending in the UK
Pic 1: Hyde Park late Tuesday afternoon
Pic 2: Hyde Park early Wednesday morning
Trying to decide which picture worries me the most.
Same again today, I assume 🙄 pic.twitter.com/JskhsOYdKO

— 🏳️‍🌈Matteo Dettori🏳️‍🌈 (@MatteoDettori5) March 31, 2021

Fantastic scenes. https://t.co/k2utQnoo22

— Gareth Icke 🇵🇸 (@garethicke) March 30, 2021

Hyde Park yesterday, yet I haven’t been able to go football for over a year🙃 pic.twitter.com/h62MDNTagw

— Josh (@JGrac3fuL) March 31, 2021

A journalist at the Sheffield Telegraph in northern England tweeted: “This is what beautiful Endcliffe Park looks like today after one day of warm weather. Barbecues, clothes, booze bottles, and at least one wallet that people didn’t bother to take home.”

Liverpool Echo content editor Emily Bona shared a photo of mounds of empty bottles, cans and wrappers at Sefton Park in the city, saying “seeing this makes me absolutely fume.”

Honestly so angry at pictures like this https://t.co/8lM85e7ILV

— Liam Thorp 💙 (@LiamThorpECHO) March 31, 2021

One Instagram account shared a video of the rubbish strewn on the grass at Primrose Hill in north London, accusing the police and parks of having “absolutely no plan whatsoever, shame on you for allowing this beautiful central London oasis to become a rubbish tip.”

Others commented on “a weird energy in the crowd a release from the winter and lockdown”, which began on January 6.

Some said the anger at young people was “harsh” after a year of strict rules, and that some students might be in 10-person households.

Beauty spots across the UK have been desecrated with litter after crowds flocked to local parks to make the most of the warm weather.

See more: https://t.co/TlUAhKPK60pic.twitter.com/BG0bzYpzud

— LBC (@LBC) March 31, 2021

But others said they feared a fourth lockdown, with one social media user writing, “if we go too early we’re, well f***ed again”, ahead of England’s pubs, restaurants and shops reopening on April 12.

The warm weather saw groups flock to public spaces such as St James's Park in central London. Picture: Tolga Akmen / AFP

England eased its COVID-19 restrictions to allow people to meet in groups of six from Monday — but there were concerns some had gone too far. Picture: Hollie Adams / AFP

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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stressed that the county will only move to the next phase in his roadmap for easing lockdown if it is safe to do so and there has not be a serious surge.

Tuesday’s pandemonium came a day after hundreds of students gathered in a Nottingham park on Monday night, climbing trees, dancing, fighting and drinking alcohol.

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted: “Let’s enjoy the sun but let’s do it safely. We have come so far, don’t blow it now.”

Many countries in continental Europe are facing a third wave of COVID-19, and Mr Johnson warned the UK that the surge “will wash up on our shores”.