RESIDENTS are furious about huge gatherings of teenagers during lockdown restrictions.

Video and photos from across Brighton and Hove seafront show groups of up to 80 youths drinking, playing football, hugging, having barbecues and tombstoning off groynes.

This comes amid coronavirus restrictions, introduced to curb the spread of Covid-19, which prohibits large gatherings.

The Argus:

Spencer Watkins, who lives near Hove Lawns, documented a large gathering on Wednesday evening.

He said: “It was from 4pm until midnight and we could hear them laughing and shouting over the television. I reported it on the Sussex Police website. I eventually called the police at 8.39pm.

“They took details and I said it was about 80 kids and they said they’d call a car nearby, but no one came, so the kids carried on all night until 12.

The Argus:

“Where do the parents of all these kids think they are from 4pm to midnight in a pandemic?

“Is a curfew for teenagers needed?

“It’s not right that NHS workers etc are putting their lives on the line for these stupid little idiots and their irresponsible parents. The seafront and Lawns are becoming no-go areas for responsible people who want to socially distance but don’t feel they safely can.

The Argus:

“It was announced yesterday that lockdown might end regionally, depending on cases. With the lax attitude and no supervision here, we’ll be still at it at Christmas.”

Another resident, who did not want to be named, was left frustrated by another large group on Brighton beach on Wednesday afternoon.

The man, who did not want to be named, also filmed the gathering and attempted to alert authorities.

The Argus:

He said: “They’re smoking, drinking and having barbecues and jumping into the water.

“I said to police ‘is this OK?’ as I was a little upset because of what they were doing, but they just kept driving to the marina. If the police don’t care, then why don’t they open the shops and the churches?

"The seafront is a shame. Nobody is keeping the distance, nobody cares. Everyone talks about the sate of the economy, but everyone’s free down there.”

The Argus:

Similar incidents have been reported at Hove Park and Bhasvic playing field in Hove.

Individuals in England are now allowed to meet one other person from outside their household if they stay two metres apart.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Our role is to prevent, investigate and detect crime and to keep people safe.

The Argus:

"The adjusted Government restrictions won’t see us police or enforce social distancing but we will continue to respond to people gathering in groups and making non-essential journeys, using the same proportionate approach that we have done throughout, explaining and encouraging them to support the important measures that are in place.”

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