A GROUP of off-road bikers were slapped with Covid fines after travelling across Sussex.

Police found the seven adults riding at the Lewes chalk pits yesterday (February 7) afternoon.

Officers were called following several reports of riders gathering at the site.

Lewes Police attended the scene and found seven adults who had travelled from West Sussex.

They were each issued with a £200 Covid fine for breaching lockdown laws.

In a post on social media yesterday, a Lewes Police spokesman said: "Following your reports of off-road bikers using the chalk pits in Lewes, officers attended this afternoon and issued seven adults who had travelled from West Sussex with fines for breaching Covid-19 restrictions.

"A non-essential, and now expensive, journey for them all."

Shortly after noon on Tuesday, February 9, a Sussex Police spokeswoman confirmed that the bikes had been off-road motorbikes.

She told The Argus: "The fines were given to riders on off road motorbikes known as pit bikes."

It is currently against the law to meet socially with family or friends unless they are part of a person's household or support bubble.

"You cannot leave home for recreational or leisure purposes (such as for a picnic or a social meeting)," the government restrictions state.

Covid fines issued by Lewes Police to bikers at the Lewes chalk pits

Covid fines issued by Lewes Police to off-road bikers at the Lewes chalk pits

When exercising, people can meet one person from another household, so long as social distancing measures are adhered to.

Police have been issued powers to take action against those who breach current lockdown restrictions.

The government website states: "You must not leave or be outside of your home except where you have a ‘reasonable excuse’. This is the law.

"The police can take action against you if you leave home without a ‘reasonable excuse’, and issue you with a fine (Fixed Penalty Notice).

"You can be given a Fixed Penalty Notice of £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400."

Reasonable excuses include work, volunteering, essential activities, education and childcare, exercise, medical reasons, maternity, escaping harm, compassionate visits, animal welfare reasons, and communal worship and life events.