A Brighton man is in hospital with serious leg injuries after being hit by a police car chasing bike theft suspects this morning.
A Hove man and a Brighton teenage boy were later arrested in the car park of Bevendean Primary School by armed officers responding to the same call, the theft of a motocross bike from Stanmer Park in the early hours of this morning.
Police said threats had been made to the owner of the motocross bike, although Brighton and Hove News understands no threat of a firearm was made.
A police spokeswoman said: “Sussex Police have arrested two men in the car park of a Brighton primary school.
“Officers followed a vehicle of interest, following the report of the theft of a motocross bike from Stanmer Park in the early hours of Wednesday (July 17), into the car park of Bevendean primary school.
“A 20-year-old man from Hove and a 16-year-old boy from Brighton inside the vehicle were detained by police, which included armed officers.
“A 20-year-old man from Hove was arrested on suspicion of robbery and theft of a motor vehicle and a 16-year-old boy from Brighton was arrested on suspicion of theft of motor vehicle. Both remain in custody and enquiries are on going.
“There were no reports of any injuries and the suspects did not enter the school buildings.
“The collision in Bear Road, Brighton, earlier on Wednesday (July 17) did involve a police unit responding to this incident.”
The school said it wasn’t in a position to comment at present except to say all children are safe.
The pedestrian was hit at about 7.40am this morning in Bear Road near Little Stars Nursery and the junction with Riley Road. Two police officers also suffered injuries, but police said these are not believed to be serious.
The pedestrian, who Brighton and Hove News understands was walking down Bear Road after feeding horses, has been taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
The road is currently closed and the matter has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, as in routine in these circumstances.
Resident Liz Henwood, who lives by the nursery, said: “There was a loud bang but I assumed it was something to do with the building sites at the university, until even more sirens began.
“I watched the air ambulance come down, I’ve never seen it so close.
“I can’t see much as there are too many emergency vehicles across the road but it looks like a cop car has hit the pillar on the corner of Riley and Bear.
“The police helicopter is still buzzing around further away. Bear Road is closed from the bottom up to just before the junction to Ewhurst.
Someone was on a stretcher. I really hope they aren’t badly hurt, and that no one else was hurt either.”
A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: “Ambulance crews have attended the scene of an RTC involving a police car and a pedestrian in Bear Road, Brighton, reported to us at approximately 7.40am this morning (17 July).
“The crews were joined at the scene by the air ambulance service. The pedestrian was treated at the scene for injuries including serious leg injuries before being taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital by road.
“The police officers suffered what are believed to be minor injuries.”
Any eye witnesses are asked to report online or call 101 quoting 290 of 17/07.
