A GROUP of people who flouted coronavirus restrictions by playing football at Southampton Sports Centre have been branded "selfish and ignorant".

Witnesses say the men used an angle grinder to cut through a fence at the centre, which has been closed since the latest lockdown began.

Police were called to the 56-acre site at Thornhill Road, Bassett, on Saturday and told them to leave.

One of the people who saw the ten players said: "We were walking past at around 11am and heard the noise of an angle grinder on the other side of the centre.

"We could see a group of people cutting the fence. We walked past again about 30 minutes later and they were still playing.

"It's shocking to think someone would breach Covid rules by breaking a fence to play a game of football."

Royston Smith, Tory MP for Southampton Itchen, added: "It's another example of selfish, ignorant people flouting the rules. People are dying in their thousands and people like this don’t help."

City councillor Lee Whitbread added: "Using power tools to damage council property and break Covid restrictions represents a new low.

"I am stunned by this ignorant and selfish behaviour

"I would urge everyone to follow the regulations and stay at home. It's vital we get the virus under control."

A police spokesman confirmed that officers were called to reports of people playing football at the sports centre.

He added: "Officers spoke with the group to remind them of the government guidance and requested they leave the premises, which they did."

People took to Twitter to highlight other instances of people visiting the centre since the start of the latest lockdown.

One woman asked if police were carrying out regular patrols at the site, adding: "A number of groups there today and yesterday playing football."

Over the weekend two men were fined for breaching Covid restrictions outside a pub in Calmore Drive, Totton.

A police spokesperson said: "Both males were stood outside the Saxon Inn, where they were consuming alcohol and listening to music. They had been spoken to previously and advised that this behaviour breaches the Covid-19 regulations.

"You should only be leaving your home for essential travel such as exercise or grocery shopping."