Pictures by Bob Prosser
The Pride parade took place mostly in bright sunshine today (Saturday 13 August) with thousands joining the march from Madeira Drive to Preston Park in Brighton.
Many thousands more watched a spectacular procession of floats take part in one of the biggest events of the year in Brighton and Hove.
Entry to Preston Park was ticket-only for the first time and the park was fenced off.
Joe McElderry and Alexandra Burke, both X Factor winners, were among those entertaining the crowd in the park.
The party in St James’s Street was in full swing earlier than anticipated – perhaps because entry to the park wasn’t free.
The road was due to close to traffic at 6pm but so many people were enjoying the party that it was closed early.
Sussex Police said that it had deployed extra officers around the city to deal with any anti-social behaviour and, earlier on, to ensure the safety of spectators.
Brighton and Hove police commander Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett reiterated a warning that anyone trying to hold an illegal rave would face losing their sound equipment.
He said that people were welcome to use the beach for picnics and informal gatherings but large sound systems could be confiscated.
He added: “Although we recognise that people come to Brighton to have a good time at Pride, we have every intention of preventing any unlawful outdoor events which are likely to cause a nuisance.”
He urged anyone who thought that they could see or hear a rave being set up or under way to report it as soon as possible to the police.
By early evening Sussex Police said that 24 people had been arrested, mostly for public order offences, theft, drugs and criminal damage.
Eight of the 22 were held on suspicion of robbery at about 5pm.
Sussex Police said via Twitter that an officer had been taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg.
He was chasing a man suspected of assault, having been involved in a fight at about 5.20pm. The suspect was caught.
Five people were taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. They were among more than 90 treated by St John Ambulance volunteers, mostly for drink-related problems.
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