Sussex Police hand out 11 fines after breaking up Brighton house party
The group breached coronavirus rules by travelling from London for the event
Sussex Police have handed out fines to a group who breached coronavirus restrictions by travelling from London to Brighton for a house party.
Officers were called to a property in Stanford Avenue in the city at just after midnight on Wednesday (December 30th).
After initially being refused entry to the property, officers handed out three fixed penalty notices.
After a further call reporting more people at the address, eight more fixed penalty notices were issued, including to those who had already been given tickets and returned, and the group was dispersed.
Chief Superintendent of Sussex Police, Julia Pope, said the fines showed a 'clear example of Sussex Police taking robust actions against those flagrantly flouting restrictions and putting others at risk'.
"This group of individuals came from various parts of London and showed no regard for the rules by coming to Brighton to socialise during this public health crisis.
"We're hugely grateful to the vast majority of people who continue to do the right thing by adhering to the Tier 4 regulations to keep themselves and others safe.
"We need to protect our NHS to prevent hospitals reaching full capacity, please help us by doing the right thing."
It comes as Sussex Police urges people across the county to 'stay at home and save lives' by sticking to Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions this New Year's Eve.
The rules, which were first introduced in much of the county on Boxing Day, do not allow for gatherings of people indoors unless they are in the same household or support bubble.
Sussex Police has said it is 'vital' the restrictions are followed to curb the spread of the new more transmittable variant of the virus and police will be taking enforcement action where necessary if these are blatantly breached.
Ch Supt Pope said:
"Your decisions and the actions you take now could help save lives.
"We are at an absolutely crucial stage in the pandemic where Sussex has been moved into the highest level of restrictions due to a new strain of the virus.
"Please stick to the rules; stay in, keep celebrations small, don’t invite people round for a party, or attend gatherings of more than two people from different households outside.
"Where there are blatant breaches and reckless flouting of these regulations then we will intervene, we will be robust and we will take enforcement action.
"Please continue to work with us and help save lives - and hopefully next year things will be better."