SUSSEX Police made 44 arrests in just nine hours on New Year's Eve.

It comes after the county was placed under Tier 4 Covid restrictions on Boxing Day with people urged to stay at home to stop the virus spreading.

The arrests were made between 6pm yesterday and 3am this morning.

The Argus: Police dispersed a beach party on Hove and issued several fines to those involved for breaching Covid restrictionsPolice dispersed a beach party on Hove and issued several fines to those involved for breaching Covid restrictions

Officers took action after being called out to offences including public order, assault and drink-driving.

The force was called to an address in Coldean Lane, Brighton, shortly before midnight and arrived to find a gathering at the house which was in breach of coronavirus restrictions.

Officers broke up the gathering, then detained a 42-year-old man for attempting to drive home despite being drunk.

They made the arrest after spotting him climbing into his car and starting the ignition.

Another arrest was made in Broadfield Park, Crawley, following reports of a man shouting abuse.

A 43-year-old was detained on suspicion of public order offences.

The Argus: Officers were deployed across Brighton and Hove last nightOfficers were deployed across Brighton and Hove last night

The arrests topped off a hectic night for police officers across the county, with the force also issuing 81 fines for breaches of Covid restrictions during the nine-hour window.

Chief Superintendent Tanya Jones said: "We know that this remains a challenging time and we are pleased to report that the vast majority of people are doing the right thing and following the regulations. 

"We appreciate that on significant dates such as New Year, loved ones want to come together and we are hugely grateful to the vast majority who adhered to the restrictions and played their part in keeping loved ones safe and therefore supporting our frontline NHS workers.

"Our well-established policing approach of engaging, educating and explaining has been widely responded to in a positive manner by the public.

"However, as we demonstrated last night, where people show a blatant disregard for the rules or are not willing to engage with officers, we will take enforcement action.

"As always, we are hugely grateful to our colleagues who sacrificed seeing in the New Year with their own loved ones in order to help keep the public safe.”

The Argus: Sussex Police officers patrolled Brighton and Hove on New Year's EveSussex Police officers patrolled Brighton and Hove on New Year's Eve

Last New Year's Eve there were 80 arrests made between 10pm on December 31, 2019, and 6am on January 1, 2020.

Sussex Police reported at the time that this figure was 60 per cent higher than a typical night.