POLICE shut down a gathering at a community centre after a report of a breach of lockdown restrictions.

Officers dispersed a group of about 50 people at the site in Providence Place, off London Road in Brighton, yesterday.

Under national lockdown restrictions, in place until December 2, no mixing of households is allowed indoors.

Sussex Police were called shortly after 5pm after receiving a report of a gathering at an address in the street.

Officers attended the scene and arrived to find a large group had amassed at a community centre in the area.

A Section 34 dispersal order was issued, requiring everyone to leave the area, and the property was secured by police.

They were also able to identify the organiser of the gathering, who was reported for summons for a breach of Regulation 10 of The Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020.

Following the incident, Sussex Police have issued a statement pledging to continue to crack down on those who flout the national lockdown restrictions.

The Argus:

A spokesman for the force said: "We’d like to thank the public for bringing this to our attention, enabling us to respond swiftly.

"We continue to work with our communities and respond to those who disregard the regulations.

"We’d also like to remind the public that we will continue to engage, explain and encourage people to follow the government guidelines on coronavirus, and enforcement action will be taken if necessary."

The Argus:

This action comes two weeks after a party organiser was slapped with a £10,000 fine after hundreds of youths gathered for Halloween.

Police officers were met with “violence and abuse” as they attempted to disperse the Halloween revellers in the Bevendean area of Brighton on October 31.