Police have appealed to families to speak to their children after a worrying incident in which youths were witnessed coughing over each other pretending to have coronavirus at a NI park.

The youths gathered in close proximity to each other, despite warnings for people to stay at home due to the COVID-19 outbreak, at St Columb’s Park in Londonderry on Sunday night.

A PSNI spokesperson said last night: “Officers from our Waterside Neighbourhood Policing Team attended St Columb’s Park this evening at about 8:30 after receiving reports of a large number of youths drinking near the running track.

“Most of these youths ran off when we attended, but some took the time to shout abuse at police, thinking it was hilarious to shout that they all had coronavirus before coughing over each other.

placeholder image — St Columb's Park. File picture. | Other 3rd Party

“If any of those children were unknowing carriers, they may have just infected their friends who could well be going home tonight to possibly infect their entire family.”

In a message to local families, the police spokesperson added: “Folks please speak to your children about how serious the current situation is it might just save a life.”