A trio have been charged after they refused to disperse during a "large gathering" at a public park.

Three police officers were allegedly assaulted as they tried to disperse the sizeable group in Victoria Park, Haywards Heath, on the morning of Saturday, February 27.

Police received reports of a gathering at the site and attended the scene, asking those involved to leave.

But the group refused, continuing to flout lockdown rules.

Police then attempted to detain members of the party, but they resisted arrest and three officers were assaulted with one suffering minor injuries, police said.

Sussex Police have now charged three people in connection with the incident.

Jazz Taylor, a 19-year-old of no fixed address, 50-year-old Craig Taylor of Forward Close in Newhaven and Paul Kayser, 47, of Perrymount Road in Haywards Heath have all been charged with resisting arrest and failing to comply with Covid regulations by attending a gathering.

Jazz Taylor has also been charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer.

They have all been released on bail to appear at Crawley Magistrates' Court on March 15.

Sussex Police launched additional patrols in the park following the incident.

For the majority of the coronavirus pandemic, the force has been following "the four Es" approach to preventing people from breaching restrictions.

The Sussex Police website says: "Engage. Explain. Encourage. Enforce. First we will try to engage with someone, explain how we think they are breaking the rules, and encourage them to change their behaviour to reduce the risk to public safety and health.

"If people still do not follow the rules the police can tell them to disperse, tell parents to stop their children breaking the rules or fine them.

"If someone continues to ignore the instructions, the police can arrest them if they think it is proportionate and necessary."

In England, people over the age of 18 can be fined £200 for their first offence. This is lowered to £100 if paid within 14 days.

A fine of £400 is issued for a second offence, and this figure doubles for each further offence up to a maximum of £6,400.

Police across the UK can take action if people leave their home without a "reasonable excuse" or meet in larger groups.

People found to have held, or have been involved in holding, an illegal gathering of more than 30 people, can face a fine of £10,000.