POLICE are urging people to enjoy the Easter weekend sensibly after officers were called to several reports of large gatherings on Tuesday.

The force said officers responded to reports across the county, including on Brighton beach, after the fine weather drew crowds of people to the seafront.

It comes after lockdown restrictions were eased on Monday so that groups of six or two households can now meet outdoors, including in private gardens, and outdoor sports facilities have reopened.

Superintendent Julia Pope said: “We all welcome this latest easing of lockdown restrictions which gives people the opportunity to reunite with loved ones in an outdoor setting.

“It’s been great to see the vast majority of people still following the guidance, keeping to the ‘rule of six’ outdoors and maintaining social distancing.

“What we don’t want to see is people taking advantage of the new freedoms that have been granted by gathering in large numbers. We are not out of the woods yet.

“Covid-19 is still a very real and present risk and we must continue to follow the government’s guidance to help stop the spread of the virus.

“Everyone has a personal responsibility to follow the regulations and we are asking people to consider their actions and the impact it may have on themselves, their loved ones and the wider community.

"We continue to be grateful to all those who have followed the rules.”

Supt Pope said Sussex Police will continue to use the "four Es" policing approach, with officers engaging with those they see out and about, explaining the current Covid-19 regulations and encouraging people to follow government guidance but, where there are flagrant breaches of the restrictions, enforcement action will be taken.

“We know it’s been an incredibly long and difficult year but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

"We must stick together and carry on the good work to keep everyone safe and ensure the roadmap out of lockdown can continue as planned,” she said.