Six people were arrested and “a significant amount of drugs were seized” in a series of raids in the run up to Brighton and Hove Pride.
And a rave was shut down last night (Saturday 6 August) in a car park on Brighton seafront. The success in halting the unofficial gathering at Black Rock prompted police to encourage anyone else seeing a rave being set up to call them.
Earlier Preston Park Avenue had to be closed while fire crews tackled a house fire in the street.
The drugs raid warrants were executed at addresses in Brighton and Portslade, with heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis and ketamine believed to be among the drugs seized.
Sussex Police said: “Police carried out a number of drug warrants this week in Brighton ahead of this weekend’s Pride event in the city.
“Warrants were carried out at a number of addresses in Richmond Road, Essex Street and Foredown Road and heroin, cannabis, ecstasy and cocaine were seized. The drugs found at Essex Street were believed to worth around £2,000.
“Ecstasy and cannabis being sent through the post were also intercepted by officers working with the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Royal Mail. Those responsible have been traced and issued with a warning from the police and the NCA.
Officers at #BrightonPride closed down a rave at Black Rock car park last night. If you see a rave being set up contact police immediately.
— Brighton&Hove Police (@BtonHovePolice) August 6, 2016
There is temporary road closure Preston Park Rd #Brighton southbound while @EastSussexFRS deal with a house fire. Please take another route.
— Brighton&Hove Police (@BtonHovePolice) August 6, 2016
“Six people were arrested. Four people were arrested at Essex Street. A 37-year-old man from Brighton, a 38-year-old man also from Brighton and a 40-year-old woman of no fixed address have been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply heroin.
“A 26-year-old man from London has been arrested on suspicion of supply of cocaine.
“They have all been bailed until (Friday) 30 September.
“A 52-year-old man from Brighton was arrested at Richmond Road on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs believed to be heroin, MDMA, ketamin and cannabis. He has been bailed until (Friday) 16 September.
“A 41-year-old man from Brighton was arrested at Foredown Road on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cocaine. He has been bailed until (Saturday) 13 August.”
Chief Inspector Katy Woolford said: “A significant amount of drugs were seized during these raids which won’t be on the streets during this weekend’s celebration in the city. We work hard to take drugs off the street to keep Brighton safe.”
Just in case anyone wondered what the delays were if they were caught in traffic in #Brighton today pic.twitter.com/7bmaKQZvoH
— Nev Kemp (@ChSuptNevKemp) August 6, 2016
Where is Preston Park Road, Brighton?
It runs along the back of Preston Park from Stanford Avenue to Preston Drove
Thanks, Ken. Now corrected to Preston Park Avenue.