POLICE cells were closed and prisoners diverted out of Brighton amid fears that staff may have coronavirus.

Sussex Police closed the custody centre at Hollingbury, Brighton on Thursday.

Sussex Police took two days to respond to The Argus' request for a comment about the closure.

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A spokeswoman said: "Brighton custody centre was temporarily closed on Thursday as a precaution after three members of staff reported feeling unwell.

"As a matter of course the centre was closed for a deep clean and reopened on Friday evening.

"In that time detainees were transported to custody centres in Worthing and Crawley."

The Argus has asked Sussex Police whether the afffected employees are in isolation.