DESPITE Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions telling people in Sussex to stay at home this New Year's Eve, police in the county still had plenty to do.

Sussex Police provided updates on social media throughout the evening, with incidents including a man carrying a machete in Crawley, a dramatic car chase in Brighton and Covid rule breaches on Hove beach.

These are just some of the incidents Sussex Police dealt with last night:

The Argus: The aftermath of the minibus crash Credit @slurpinpigThe aftermath of the minibus crash Credit @slurpinpig

1. PC Glen McArthur of the Sussex Roads Policing Unit attended a crash in the early hours of this morning

A minibus which was transporting workers for their shift "careered over a roundabout" leaving the vehicle heavily damaged.

PC McArthur said the driver was found to be "more than twice the drink-drive limit" during a roadside breath test.

The incident happened on the A259 between Bognor and Chichester.

The Argus: A knife was seized in Crawley by Gatwick PoliceA knife was seized in Crawley by Gatwick Police

2. Police seized a knife and a machete from a man in Crawley

Members of Gatwick Police travelled to nearby Crawley to assist officers in the town.

They arrested a man who was found to be carrying a large knife and a machete.

"He's now spending New Year's Day in custody," the force said on social media.

"Thankfully these weapons have been taken off the streets."

The Argus: A car was surrounded by police after failing to stop for a drink/drug-driving check Credit: @SgtRichardHobbsA car was surrounded by police after failing to stop for a drink/drug-driving check Credit: @SgtRichardHobbs

3. A car failed to stop for police in Brighton yesterday

Sergeant Richard Hobbs of the Sussex Roads Policing Unit said a driver in Brighton "didn't want to talk" to police last night.

Officers pursued his car, with police vehicles surrounding it and forcing it to stop.

In a social media post shortly before 8.30am, Sgt Hobbs said: "A steady shift so far for us. A drink/drug drive check in Brighton earlier with a vehicle that didn't want to talk to us.

"It didn't get far before we surrounded it. Stay home, stay safe and happy new year."

The Argus: Police busted a beach party in Hove on New Year's EvePolice busted a beach party in Hove on New Year's Eve

4. Police issued fines for breaches of Covid rules after breaking up a beach party in Hove

Chief Inspector Roy Hodder was the silver commander for Brighton and Hove last night, with officers deployed across the city last night to make sure the end of 2020 was celebrated safely.

At 6.38pm he said that "sadly we have already dealt with groups in breach of The health protection regulations".

By 11pm, 12 fines had been issued in the city for breaches of Covid rules.

Then, shortly before midnight, officers attended a beach party which had lit a fire on the pebbles in Hove.

Chief Inspector Hodder confirmed that "enforcement action" had been taken as the gathering was dispersed.

The Argus: Eastbourne Police officers being briefed on New Year's EveEastbourne Police officers being briefed on New Year's Eve

5. Drunken youths were escorted home by police in Eastbourne

Officers in East Sussex came across three youths while patrolling an area near the Crumbles.

The trio were escorted home to their parents at about 7pm.

An Eastbourne Police spokesman said: "We're taking three youths home to their parents after being found drunk in the area around the Crumbles.

"Parents will be spoken to and advice given. We take safeguarding seriously, tonight especially."