Detectives are hunting for the victim of a brawl involving a metal pole and a shovel in which someone was allegedly stabbed with a screwdriver yesterday.
Police rushed to the scene following a report of a fight between a group of men off London Road at 11.45am yesterday.
But when they arrived, there was no sign of any disturbance – and witnesses had not seen anything suspicious. A search of local hospitals for stab victims also drew a blank.
Dave Ansell from Ransoms in Ann Street said: “There was shouting and screaming outside in Ann Street. By the time we finished serving people and looked outside, there was nothing going on.
“They came and asked if we saw anything, but we couldn’t tell them anything.”
Later in the day, rumours spread on social media that the victim had been stabbed with a screwdriver – but with no victim available to police, this can not be confirmed.
A police spokesman said: “Police were called at around 11.45am on Tuesday (21 February) following a reported fight in London Road, Brighton involving a group of men.
“It was reported some had weapons including a shovel and metal pole and that one of the people involved was stabbed.
“On police arrival there was no sign of any offenders or injured party and no one at the scene had seen anything suspicious.
“Local hospitals were contacted to see if anyone had been admitted with related injuries, but no such records were found.
“If you were in the area and saw or heard anything suspicious then please email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting reference 508 of 21/02.
“You can also report online (https://sussex.police.uk/contact-us/response-to-appeal/) or call 101.”
