Hastings police patrolling Alexandra Park on Sunday March 21 ready to disperse a planned gathering during the UK's lockdown. SUS-210321-115727001Hastings police patrolling Alexandra Park on Sunday March 21 ready to disperse a planned gathering during the UK's lockdown. SUS-210321-115727001
Hastings police patrolling Alexandra Park on Sunday March 21 ready to disperse a planned gathering during the UK's lockdown. SUS-210321-115727001

Two arrested and four fined at Hastings anti-lockdown protest

A woman was arrested for assaulting a police officer at an anti-lockdown protest in Hastings over the weekend, police have confirmed.

Sussex Police said about 30 people gathered in Alexandra Park on Sunday morning (March 21).

They were required to leave as a dispersal order was in place, police confirmed on Monday afternoon (March 22).

Police said officers engaged with those present explaining the government’s coronavirus regulations and the reason for the dispersal order and encouraged people to leave.

A spokesman for the force said four people – a man and three women – were issued with fines for failing to comply with the Covid regulations.

One of the women was also arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer, while another was arrested for failing to provide details, a police spokesman added.

All the group had left the park by midday, according to police.

The protest was planned by the anti-lockdown movement A Stand in the Park. The international movement urges people to stand in a designated park every Sunday between 10am and 11am for ‘Personal Truth and Freedom in Unity’. Alexandra Park is included in a list of locations on A Stand in the Park’s Facebook page.

The protest came a week after dozens of people were seen holding hands and doing the Hokey Cokey in Alexandra Park. Police were made aware of last weekend’s demonstration but nobody was fined or arrested on that occasion.

Police said officers engaged with those present explaining the government’s coronavirus regulations and the reason for the dispersal order and encouraged people to leave.