Police raid derelict Sompting pub in 'Covid-related' incident

A large number of police cars and vans lined Halewick Lane in Sompting at about 5.30pm yesterday as officers dealt with the incident at The Joyful Whippet building.

One witness said they had seen "loads of police" at the scene and people living nearby had come "out on to the streets" to see what was going on.

Police raided the former site of The Joyful Whippet in Halewick Lane, Sompting, as part of a 'Covid-related' incident

"An officer said it was Covid-related," the witness told The Argus.

The exact nature of the incident is currently unknown.

This morning, Sussex Police confirmed they attended the derelict pub yesterday evening and said that "no further information is available" at this time.

• READ MORE: Parents could face Covid fines if children breach restrictions

New laws have been brought in over recent months giving police the power to take action if there are breaches of certain coronavirus restrictions.

The government website states: "You must stay at home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

"You should follow this guidance immediately. This is the law.

Police raided the former site of The Joyful Whippet in Halewick Lane, Sompting, as part of a 'Covid-related' incident

"...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 such as food shopping, education and childcare, care, exercise, medical reasons, maternity, or escaping risk of harm.