Covid fines as drivers travel from Tier 4 to Tier 2 for meet

Fines were issued for breaching Covid restrictions as police dispersed more than 100 cars in Crawley last night.

Officers were called to scatter the rule-breakers shortly before 9.30pm yesterday.

TOTAL STUPIDITY. @SussexRoadsPol+ Police units from across the county attended Crawley Sunday Evening to break up a car Cruise of about 100 cars, most of which from TIER 4 areas.

They were also moved on from a number of locations in London throughout the evening (Video of one) pic.twitter.com/LEhepMp3GV

— Sussex Incidents 999 (@SussexIncidents) December 21, 2020

PC Glen McArthur of the Sussex Roads Policing Unit was one of the officers in attendance.

He shared his shock at the selfish actions of those involved in a post on social media, saying: "Total stupidity. Police units across the county have just attended Crawley to break up a car cruise of more than 100 cars, most of which were from Tier 4 areas.

TOTAL STUPIDITY. Police units across the county have just attended Crawley to break up a car Cruise of about 100 cars, most of which from TIER 4 areas. Its tough for everyone but do your part and stay home, please!!!!!!@SussexRoadsPol#lotsofcovidfines pic.twitter.com/Gpl29TaptT

— PC Glen McArthur (@slurpinpig) December 20, 2020

"It's tough for everyone, but do your part and stay home, please."

He added that "lots of Covid fines" had been issued as police penalised those involved.

One commenter slammed the actions of the drivers as an "absurd waste of police time".

PC McArthur replied: "Totally agree. We have far more pressing jobs to go to."

• READ MORE: Areas of Sussex enter Tier 4

Sussex Police have been contacted for further information.

On Sunday, Hastings and Rother were among several areas in the South East to be plunged into Tier 4 - a new level of heightened coronavirus retsrictions designed to stop the spread of a new strain of the virus identified in the region.

The other areas in Tier 4 are London, Kent and Medway, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Havant, Gosport and Portsmouth, Hertfordshire, Essex (excluding Tendring, Uttlesford and Colchester), central Bedfordshire, Bedford, Milton Keynes, Luton and Peterborough.

Government guidance for people living in these areas, such as those involved in the car meet last night, states: "You must not leave your home unless you have a reasonable excuse (e.g. for work or education purposes).

Matt Hancock announced the new measures on Saturday

"If you need to travel you should stay local - meaning avoiding travelling outside of your village, town or the part of a city where you live - and look to reduce the number of journeys you make overall."

People in these areas are also not permitted to leave their area and travel to areas in Tier 3 or below unless it is for one of the following legally permitted reasons; travelling to work, for education, to attend a medical appointment or to visit someone in their support bubble.

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