AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into a reports of an assault during a protest outside a Covid-19 vaccination centre.
The vaccine centre in the Northgate car park in Chichester was closed for around two and a half hours on Sunday October 17.
The Sussex Community NHS Trust, which is responsible for the site, said all appointments were cancelled due to a “disruption” at the centre.
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At 11.30am, the trust tweeted: “Please don't attend. We'll let you know when we're open. Thanks for your understanding.”
The centre reopened at 2pm.
Sussex Police confirmed they were called to the site following reports of a “disturbance” outside the centre.
“Officers attended and engaged with those present, and the situation was resolved peacefully,” a police spokesman said.
“Enquiries are now ongoing into an assault reported to have happened prior to police attendance.”
Anyone with information or who saw what happened is asked to contact police online or by calling 101, quoting serial 473 of 17/10.
It is understood that a group of up to 30 protesters were at the site.
In August, protests disrupted the opening of a new Covid-19 vaccination centre inside the former Topshop store in Churchill Square.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the vaccination centre which was subsequently closed to members of the public while the protest took place.
Notorious conspiracy theorist Kate Shemirani, from East Sussex, was pictured outside the centre speaking to the crowd.
The vaccine centre in Westgate Leisure, Chichester, relocated to Northgate car park on Saturday, September 25.
The Westgate Leisure vaccination centre was one of five large vaccination centres opened by Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust earlier this year - delivering up to 1,000 vaccinations a day during peak demand.
Since opening on February 18, the centre had been staffed by 200 SCFT staff members, with support from more than 220 volunteers.
To book your Covid-19 vaccination appointment, please call 119, visit the NHS or Sussex Health and Care Partnership websites.
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