Police: Suspect item was purposely left to disrupt Brighton Pride
By Micah Sulit
Police believe that the suspect package that delayed the Brighton Pride parade yesterday was deliberately left to cause a bomb scare, according to a statement issued by Sussex Police.
The package was found on the A259 Brighton seafront near the bandstand at 11:10am, shortly before the parade was scheduled to start from Hove Lawns. While police investigated the item, the parade was re-routed and delayed by an hour and a half. Once it got going, though, the Brighton Pride parade moved along without incident.
However, police are now looking to identify who was responsible for leaving the package that caused a bomb scare at Brighton Pride.
Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp, who spearheaded the policing duties for the day, said, “We believe the item was placed there deliberately and made to look like a suspicious device, in order to cause a disruption. We have started a criminal investigation to identify who did this.”
He added, “We were concerned enough to call in the bomb disposal unit, who after making a further assessment, carried out a controlled explosion. The area had been cordoned off and there was no risk to the public.”
Chief Supt Kemp thanked the public for their cooperation and added that Brighton Pride is a yearly highlight for him.
“I was delighted to be able to march in the Parade again this year, which has to be one of the most enjoyable opportunities I have each year as the city’s policing commander,” he said.
He also noted that a number of arrests were made for a variety of offences, which is only to be expected at such a large-scale event.