BEACHGOERS sitting by the sea are being talked to by police - but most continue to observe social distancing rules.

A picture taken yesterday and sent to The Argus appears to show two officers speaking to someone sitting on Brighton beach.

But one passer-by on social network IdeaMill felt police were “alienating” the public by telling people to move off the quiet beach onto the busier promenade.

The incident comes after Sussex Police Deputy Chief Constable Jo Shiner thanked the public for listening to social distancing rules as warm weather arrived over the weekend.

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One couple were charged and have been summonsed to appear in court for breaching the emergency rules banning gatherings after allegedly having a barbecue on Hove beach.

But DCC Shiner told BBC Radio Sussex fewer than ten people had been fined and said officers were being pragmatic when it came to beachgoers sitting down.

“We are using common sense, and asking for people to help us with that,” she said.

“It is really difficult for our people on the frontline. I am incredibly proud of how they are engaging and policing this.

“There does come a time when if people are becoming abusive and are not going to move and stop what they are doing.

“That is a last resort for us, but if people won’t engage with us, we will enforce the rules.”

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund