Covid fines as police break up house party in Brighton

Officers broke up the gathering in Stanford Avenue, Brighton, in the early hours of this morning and issued 11 fines to those involved for breaching the restrictions.

Brighton is currently in Tier 4 of the government's coronavirus alert system, meaning households are not permitted to mix indoors.

People also "must not leave your home unless you have a reasonable excuse", government guidance states.

• READ MORE: What you can and can't do in Tier 4

Sussex Police say those involved in this incident had travelled to Brighton from London.

The house party was reported to the force shortly after midnight.

Officers attended the property but the occupants initially refused to let them inside.

Three fixed penalty notices were issued during this visit.

Sussex Police then received a second call reporting more people at the house.

Officers returned and issued a further eight fines to those inside.

Chief Superintendent Julia Pope said: "This is a clear example of Sussex Police taking robust action against those flagrantly flouting restrictions and putting others at risk. 

"This group of individuals came from various parts of London and showed no regard for the rules by coming to Brighton to socialise during this public health crisis. 

⚠️Several areas in England are moving into higher tiers from 00:01 tomorrow⚠️

This is to limit the spread of #COVID19 as cases continue to rise across the country.

See the list of local restriction tiers by area ⬇️

— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) December 30, 2020

"We're hugely grateful to the vast majority of people who continue to do the right thing by adhering to the Tier 4 regulations to keep themselves and others safe.

"We need to protect our NHS to prevent hospitals reaching full capacity, please help us by doing the right thing."

Sussex Police is now urging people to stick to Tier 4 restrictions on New Year's Eve.

It warned that officer will act to enforce the rules if they see "blatant breaches and reckless flouting of the regulations".

• READ MORE: Hove homeowner 'livid' as revellers hold 'indoor rave'

Ch Supt Pope said: "Your decisions and the actions you take now could help save lives. 

"We are at an absolutely crucial stage in the pandemic where Sussex has been moved into the highest level of restrictions due to a new strain of the virus. 

"Please stick to the rules; stay in, keep celebrations small, don’t invite people round for a party, or attend gatherings of more than two people from different households outside.

"Where there are blatant breaches and reckless flouting of these regulations then we will intervene, we will be robust and we will take enforcement action.

"Please continue to work with us and help save lives - and hopefully next year things will be better."