SUSSEX Police issued 81 fines to people flouting Tier 4 Covid restrictions on New Year's Eve, the force has now revealed.

Of the fines issued, 66 were in Brighton, nine were in West Sussex and six were in East Sussex.

The fixed penalty notices were given between 6pm yesterday and 3am this morning, and were issued for a wide variety of reasons including outdoor gatherings of groups in public spaces, private parties and people travelling from outside the area into Sussex. 

The Argus: Police on Hove seafront enforcing Covid rules on New Year's EvePolice on Hove seafront enforcing Covid rules on New Year's Eve

Several people were slapped with fines on Brighton and Hove beach after gathering in groups on the seafront.

One party was dispersed in Hove shortly before 12am after lighting a fire on the pebbles.

Under Tier 4 restrictions, people can only meet with a single person from another household in an outdoor space if social distancing is observed.

A further five fines were given to a group in a car in London who "claimed they were in Brighton to collect a takeaway".

The Argus: Brighton city centre was relatively quiet on New Year's Eve, but the city's beach was busy Brighton city centre was relatively quiet on New Year's Eve, but the city's beach was busy

Sussex Police were called to a house party in High Street, Uckfield, just minutes before midnight after revellers repeatedly returned to an address despite several warnings from police.

The owner of the address was issued a fine.