ALMOST 50 day-trippers used excuses including birthday celebrations and a day out at the beach for irresponsible excursions at the weekend.

Police slapped 45 people in Sussex with fines on Saturday as they disregarded Government advice and travelled to the coast.

The force said "about half" of these were given to people who "explained they were bored and fancied a day at the beach".

All these fines were issued at coastal beauty spots in the county ­- Birling Gap, Seven Sisters, Camber Sands and Brighton.

The Argus:

Chief Superintendent Jane Derrick said: "Now is certainly not the time to attend parties, travel to family and friends for birthday celebrations or make a long journey for a day trip to the beach.

"However this is just what some people did this weekend and they were issued with fines for flouting the travel and social distancing restriction, and potentially putting people’s lives at risk.

"We know that it isn’t easy, especially when the sun is out, but fine weather is no indicator of the restrictions lifting or indeed the spread of coronavirus slowing - there is still a way to go.

"Those who explained they were bored and fancied a day at the beach were issued fines at Birling Gap, Seven Sisters, Camber Sands and Brighton. They account for about half of the 45 fines issued in Sussex on Saturday.

The Argus:

"Also falling foul of the current restrictions that day were those who travelled to family or friends’ birthday parties or joined friends in their cars for a day out."

But Sussex Police thanked the "vast majority of Sussex residents who continue to observe the Government’s restrictions and maintain socially distancing to ensure the cases of coronavirus do not suddenly escalate".

The force reiterated that it is "working hard to keep people safe and protect the most vulnerable to save lives" but warned that the coronavirus crisis was not over yet.

Chief Supt Derrick said: "Perhaps now more than ever, we need people to take personal responsibility to help slow the spread of this deadly disease.

"They need to take socially distance seriously, stay local and avoid places that are popular such as coasts, beauty spots or popular countryside walks to minimise the number of people they may meet.

The Argus:

"Our policing approach during the lockdown has not changed. We are still in communities patrolling, we are still talking to the public and explaining the guidance and legislation, but we will take enforcement action when it is absolutely necessary to do so.

"We are working 24/7 preventing and solving crime and the online demand in our contact centre has escalated, driven by the public reporting breaches of the current measures.

"We can only save the unnecessary loss of lives by taking personal responsibility for our actions and supporting one another over the coming days, weeks and months."

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund