Coronavirus: South East live updates

A Sussex Early Intervention Youth Programme, called Reboot, has supported 861 vulnerable young people since April last year and has no intention of stopping the support it offers during the Covid-19 "lockdown", Sussex Police have said.

It was established with the aim of engaging with under-18s at risk of committing serious violence, and those who have committed anti-social behaviour and low-level crime.

Sussex Police said it was now more important than ever that young people "receive structured guidance" through the coronavirus crisis.

As a result, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne has "digitally adapted" the programme as face-to-face support has been temporarily suspended.

Reboot has continued to take on new referrals, while funds have been made available to provide items such as skipping ropes and swingballs to encourage fitness in gardens.

Health officials in Kent and Medway have issued a warning over coronavirus scams involving criminals offering shopping or medication collection services.

Staff at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent, have clapped a patient who has gone home after surviving the coronavirus.

Uber driver Biniam Kidane waved and gave the thumbs up as he left the hospital.

He was able to leave the intensive care unit on Tuesday and walked out of the hospital earlier to a round of applause.

Unable to fly at the moment, pilot Peter Login has found an excellent use for his enforced break.

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Nine people have been issued with fines by Kent Police under the Coronavirus Act, the force said.

The figure emerged as Chief Constable Alan Pughsley reiterated a request for people to stay at home over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

Mr Pughsley said: “It comes as no surprise to me that the people of Kent would continue to do what is right for the good of the nation, and we must all continue to do as we have been instructed by the Government this Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

“It is also encouraging to note that my officers have only had to issue nine fines to date, as this shows that my officers are engaging, explaining and encouraging people in the correct way and are being listened to when they ask people to go home.

“Those who have received fines for refusing to comply need to take a look at themselves in the mirror and consider the potential health implications their actions could have on others. It is unacceptable at a time when thousands of people in the UK have already lost their lives.”

Last month Kent Police launched a scheme appealing for their former officers, staff and volunteers to consider coming back to help amid pressure caused by the pandemic. Mr Pughsley said there had been a “promising” response.

An East Sussex council is to defer rent payments for its commercial tenants in an effort to offset the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision, which was taken under emergency powers, will see Rother District Council defer all rent payments due in the first quarter of the financial year.

In a report on the decision, a council officer said: “Rother District Council’s commercial property portfolio has many types of business/organisation … some of which will be prevented from trading due to the restrictions and may also lose capacity to trade through loss of staff being able to work.

“These include, for example, tenants who are dependent on the visitor economy; community centres that rely on room hire for income generation; and businesses in the cultural sector.

“The council is receiving requests to alleviate rent charges to reduce the financial burden on tenants while the current crisis persists.

“Initially it is proposed to defer rents due (to be paid at a later date) for the first quarter to help with businesses cash flow.”

The council says this position can be reviewed ahead of the second quarter and extended if needed.

An NHS worker in Brighton says he's been overwhelmed by offers of help he has received after his motorbike was stolen.

Ian Evans works 12-hour shifts in a laboratory, processing the results of blood tests.

He told BBC Radio Sussex that since posting his tweet he's received offers of help, including the loan of alternative vehicles.

Quote Message: I have no transport for the weekend, so my working day gets extended by three to four hours because of travel". from Ian Evans NHS worker

I have no transport for the weekend, so my working day gets extended by three to four hours because of travel".

He has asked people to keep a lookout for the distinctive Triumph Sprint.

Sevenoaks District Council/PACopyright: Sevenoaks District Council/PA

Traffic wardens in Sevenoaks are helping vulnerable people to get the essential supplies they need.

Food boxes organised by Sevenoaks District Council are being delivered to residents who need them.

They can also get help with their shopping, picking up prescriptions, walking the dog or posting their mail by signing up to the council's Care for our Community scheme.

Councillor Lesley Dyball said parking in the district would still be monitored by wardens on patrol.

Canterbury Cathedral will toll a bell every evening to honour frontline healthcare staff and other essential workers, and to also remember those whose lives have been lost to coronavirus.

The old bell on the 1,400-year-old cathedral’s central tower – known as bell "Harry" – will toll each evening from 2000 BST tonight in recognition of "the unprecedented shared global tragedy".

The bell will be tolled remotely via a timer, so no staff will be present within the building.

The Dean of Canterbury, the Very Revd Dr Robert Willis, said: “Communities around the world have embraced the idea of clapping hands to thank publicly healthcare staff and other frontline workers at this time.

"We all know that their vital work is undertaken at great personal risk to themselves. The bell of Canterbury Cathedral will lend its voice to this display of gratitude and also mark a moment to pause and remember those who have died.”

The pandemic has lead to the postponement of the world's toughest foot race, but that hasn't stopped one regular competitor from putting his intense training to good use over the Easter weekend.

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A doctor has branded thieves "selfish, shameless, idiotic criminals" after gloves and masks were stolen from a GP surgery in East Sussex.

The Manor Park Medical Centre in Polegate had been leaving equipment out for patients to use during appointments.

However, a number of items were taken from the porch where they had been kept, prompting an angry response from the surgery.

In a Facebook post it said: "To the people who have been stealing the small supply of gloves and masks from our porch, which have been left there for patients who are having to visit the surgery to put on: You selfish, shameless, idiotic criminals."

The message added: "You are putting vulnerable patients and staff at risk. As a result, there will now be none left in the porch, which will delay matters for patients and staff at a time when we are trying to minimise the amount of time vulnerable patients are having to be in the building."

Good morning and welcome again to another day focusing on coronavirus developments across the South East.

Our live coverage has resumed and we'll be bringing you the latest news until 20:00 BST.

If you think there’s a story we should be covering, you can email or contact us on Facebook or Twitter

Thanks for joining us today.

Our live coverage has now ended for the day, but we'll be back tomorrow morning from 08:00 BST with more updates on how coronavirus is impacting the lives of people across Kent, Sussex and Surrey.

In the meantime, if you think there’s a story we should be covering, you can email or contact us via Facebook or Twitter

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Police have urged people to stay at home and save lives as the country heads towards the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

Sussex Police Deputy Chief Constable Jo Shiner said the force were “well resourced” and officers will be on patrol in urban and rural communities to reassure and support over the Easter break.

She said: “We remain well-resourced and are still dealing with all types of crime, continuing to police our roads and tackle criminality in the community.

"As ever, our plea is for everyone to do the right thing this weekend; stay home, save lives and protect the NHS.

"Our officers and PCSOs will continue to engage with people and explain what the government guidance is and why it has been put in place.

"We want to encourage people to do the right thing in following that guidance and only where absolutely necessary will our officers take enforcement action.