Covid conspiracist Hannah Dean banned from hospitals by Sussex Police

Hannah Dean repeatedly visited hospitals including St Richard's in Chichester despite the threat of the ongoing pandemic and consequent lockdown restrictions.

She then shared photographs of the sites while claiming they are "empty" and "not under pressure".

As a result, Sussex Police have slapped the 30-year-old with a Community Protection Notice - a police order similar to the now defunct ASBO.

This "prevents her from attending any hospital apart from when she has a prior appointment, is a dependent or there is a medical emergency".

She is also not allowed to "encourage, endorse or incite another person to breach Covid restrictions".

Hannah Dean has been issued with a Community Protection Notice after breaching coronavirus restrictions to film in hospitals

Over recent months, Ms Dean has posted numerous videos and pictures on Facebook after visiting hospitals across the south despite Covid restrictions.

Her actions have sparked widespread criticism, with the Prime Minister among those to condemn her selfish behaviour.

Mr Johnson said: "The kind of people who stand outside hospitals and say Covid is a hoax and this kind of stuff, really I do think they need to grow up."

And Sir Simon Stevens, NHS England chief executive, said people claiming the situation is a "hoax" are responsible for encouraging behaviour which could lead to further virus deaths.

He said: "Let’s just be completely straightforward about it. When people say that (Covid is a hoax) – it is a lie."

Visiting St Richard's Hospital in Chichester on January 4, she shared images showing empty corridors and beds at the site on Facebook claiming: "These hospitals are not under pressure.

• READ MORE: Sussex hospital trust rubbishes Covid conspiracy theorist's Facebook post

"You are being isolated and controlled by your government, for a virus with a recovery rate of 99.7 per cent."

But, in an unprecedented move, Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust shared a screenshot of the post on its social media pages and rubbished the claims.

A spokesman said: "It is very disappointing to see misleading images and inaccurate comments on social media, suggesting that the NHS is not under pressure.

"This is untrue and highly disrespectful to all the patients and families affected by Covid, as well as our staff who are working extremely hard in very challenging circumstances."

After relentlessly breaching health protection regulations with further visits to hospitals last month, Ms Dean was issued with a Community Protection Warning on Sunday.

This prevents her from attending any hospital apart from when she has a prior appointment, is a dependent or there is a medical emergency; and to not encourage, endorse or incite another person to breach Covid restrictions.

Hannah Dean has been issued with a Community Protection Notice after breaching coronavirus restrictions to film in hospitals

But she breached this warning within hours of it being issued, attempting to video staff and patients at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham later that day.

Her Community Protection Warning was upgraded to a Community Protection Notice on Monday. If this is breached, action can be taken against her.

Chief Inspector Jon Carter of Sussex Police said: “There are a variety of tactics of dealing with this kind of unacceptable behaviour. We are working together with Hampshire Constabulary to ensure the best avenues to deter this behaviour from continuing are taken.”

Sussex Police have worked with Hampshire Police on this matter, with Ms Dean's antics affecting both constabularies.

A Hampshire Police spokesman said: "We can confirm that a 30-year-old woman from Fareham has been served with a Community Protection Notice (CPN).

"The CPN is designed to prevent unreasonable behaviour that is having a negative impact on the local community’s quality of life. Breaching a CPN is an offence.

"The action was taken following reports of a suspicious incident where an individual attempted to video staff and patients at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham on Sunday, January 31, shortly after 4:30pm."