Worthing Town Crier’s birthday drive-by surprises stopped by police

The larger than life councillor kept up his reputation during lockdown, teaming up with Dave Hunt Leisure for surprise birthday visits to people’s homes.

Booked ahead, Bob and Dave would arrive at people’s homes with Happy Birthday playing through Dave’s speakers and Bob would deliver a birthday greeting to the birthday boy or girl.

They arrived in separate vehicles and stayed distanced from all involved, said Bob.

Sadly, Bob and Dave’s ‘birthday drive-bys’ have been stopped by Sussex Police over breaches of Covid regulations.

“I am really sad that the birthday drive-by lockdown surprises have been stopped,” said Bob.

“I feel delivering fun on someone’s birthday is essential for wellbeing at this time like Just Eat and Amazon deliver essential food & goods. Sadly the police didn’t agree.”

Instead, Bob will be offering video messages, with any donations going to mental health charity Mind.

A Sussex Police spokesman confirmed officers spoke to a gentleman ‘regarding drive-by birthday surprises’ on January 10 and advised he did not adhered to Government guidance not fall under a reasonable excuse category.