A five-hour siege in a Brighton supermarket was brought to a peaceful end moments ago with the arrest of a 46-year-old man.
The man holed himself up in the toilets at Sainsbury’s in Lewes Road, Brighton, at about 2.15pm today (Monday 14 May), claiming to have a gun and a bomb.
The area was cleared and the store closed as specialist negotiators were called in.
Sussex Police said: “Nobody else was in the toilets and the area was quickly cleared to ensure that there was no danger to the public or store staff.
“Sainsburys closed the store while specialist negotiators engaged with the man.
“At 7.41pm, officers gained entry to the toilet and the man was secured. No firearm or explosive device was found.
“A 46-year-old man from Essex was arrested in connection with making threats to commit criminal damage and was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton to be checked over before being taken into custody.”
Chief Inspector Helen West, from the Brighton Neighbourhood Response Team, said: “While officers were not able to confirm whether he had a firearm or any form of explosive device until the last few minutes, they continued to talk to him and tried to establish what his concerns were.
“I should like to thank both the staff and customers of the store who reacted quickly to enable my officers to carry out their negotiations in a calm and quiet atmosphere.
“Also, colleagues in the fire and ambulance services who stood by throughout in support of the operation.”
