Hastings woman arrested after group gathers to exercise on St Leonards seafront

Police attended the area, close to the Azur, on Wednesday (January 6) after receiving a report about the group the day before (Tuesday, January 5).

Police said officers were told the group of people gather at the same time each morning to exercise together.

A police spokesman said these officers 'attempted to engage with them and explain the Government’s Covid-19 regulations'. These rules, introduced by Boris Johnson on Monday and made law on Wednesday morning, state exercise is permitted outdoors but only with those from your household or one other person from outside of your household.

Police said the engagement 'was not successful', and said the group refused to comply with requests to move on and cease the gathering.

As a result, Deborah Cutting, 54, from Hastings, was arrested on suspicion of failing to comply with a direction re. events/gatherings in England in order to control Coronavirus, police confirmed.

On Thursday (January 7), a police spokesman said she had been charged to appear at Hastings Magistrates' Court on February 3.

The police spokesman added: "During the national lockdown, Sussex Police are deploying dedicated officers and staff to help slow or reduce the rate of infection by disrupting high risk activities, engaging with the public and reassuring communities."