Armed police and helicopter used following fight

Bob Dale
BBC News, South East
Eddie Mitchell Several armed police officers in full kit at the Whitehawk Road incident.Eddie Mitchell
Armed police were called to Bamford Close on Thursday evening

Armed police and a helicopter were called in after a fight in Brighton, East Sussex, on Thursday evening, Sussex Police say.

Three men escaped from the scene in Bamford Close, in a car which was later dumped and set alight.

Police said they recovered "a bladed weapon" near the vehicle.

No arrests have been made.

Eddie Mitchell Three police cars guard a row of four saloon cars, including one which is badly damaged, in Whitehawk Road.Eddie Mitchell
The damaged car was found in Whitehawk Road

Det Insp Duncan Lloyd said witnesses who called police at about 18:20 BST reported seeing three men driving away in the car, which was already badly damaged.

He said: "Other members of the public called in to report the car being driven in the city, before it was dumped in Whitehawk Road and set alight. We found a bladed weapon close-by.

"The public support has been tremendous in what was a dynamic situation and it has helped us build a picture of what happened and who may be involved.

"Our officers were supported by the National Police Air Service in a search of the area, and that search has concluded."

He said officers were now investigating.

Eddie Mitchell The police helicopter in flight, against a backdrop of a perfectly blue sky.Eddie Mitchell
A police helicopter was used in the search for three men who fled the scene

Patrols in the area are being increased, a Sussex Police spokesperson says.

Anyone with any information is being urged to contact the force.

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