Police break up illegal gathering in Forest Row and arrest man

Sussex Police said the 61-year-old was arrested for failing to comply with officers and provide his details appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (February 2).

He was given a £50 fine for obstructing a PC and pleaded guilty to breaching Covid legislation and the courts deemed this as time served and no other sanction was issued, confirmed a spokesman.

Police said people attended the gathering, despite an earlier warning.

Superintendent Julia Pope, who is leading the policing operation for the pandemic, said: “The gathering plainly does not meet the criteria for a charitable or benevolent exemption within the law.

“I know all of us are missing seeing friends and family but a gathering of this kind, in the current environment, is not permitted.

“We acknowledge the frequently changing legislation can sometimes make it difficult for everyone to fully understand what you can and cannot do and this is why our officers will always first engage with people, explaining the rules and regulations and encourage people to change their behaviour accordingly.

“We urge everyone to take responsibility for their actions and do the right thing by following the legislation and where there are breaches, fines will be issued.”

In the past week, officers have issued 192 fixed penalty notices, a police spokesman said.

“Considering we have been in a pandemic for almost a year now, it is completely unacceptable,” they added.

“And some people are making light of their reasons for being out and about. When you see the shocking videos of people battling Covid, having lost a loved one or NHS colleagues on their knees, I think most people would support this view.

“The vast majority of the fines we have issued have been for those attending house parties, meeting up with friends and family indoors or travelling without a reasonable excuse.”

In the past week, police have also received 776 Covid related calls with the vast majority of these being to linked businesses remaining open, households mixing, challenging wearing a mask, parties and the use of accommodation associated with unnecessary travel.

Officers have also dealt with the shocking abuse of public facing workers, including a bus driver who was spat at when he asked someone to wear a mask.