Fight breaks out as crowds of students ignoring social distancing gather at the Arboretum

A fight broke out at the Arboretum on Monday, as crowds gathered to celebrate the easing of lockdown restrictions and the return of the ‘Rule of Six’.

Large numbers of people get involved in the fight and whilst even more surrounded to watch, completely disregarding social distancing rules.

As a result of this, Nottingham City Council has increased police presence and have imposed a ban on drinking alcohol in all public places.

Nottinghamshire police have now put a dispersal order in place to prevent similar scenes unfolding as the hot weather is set to continue over the next few days.

Officers were also seen stopping people and checking their bags at the Arboretum gates, which is prohibited under a public spaces protection order.

As for Monday, lockdown restrictions were eased meaning that two households or groups of up to six people are allowed to meet outdoors in England.

Ryan Keane, 22-year-old American Studies student at UoN, described to The Tab Notts how he heard: “synchronised shouting” when he was at the Arboretum earlier this week.

“Me and my friend looked over and saw a load of people rush towards the end of the park. We thought a fight was happening and looking at the news reports, I guess we were right.”

Students have been receiving a lot of backlash on social media over the past few days as similar scenes unveiled in cities across the country.

However, Ryan said, “most of the space had people socially distancing themselves. It was only really the end of the Arboretum where there was a crowd.”

Nottingham Trent University have been approached for a comment – the article will be updated with a response shortly.