Ditchling Road blocked off by police cars following report of man with machete

‘Sussex Police responded to reports of a young man with a machete in a private property in Ditchling Road, Brighton’


A young man has been arrested by police who rushed to a property near Varndean School.

This came after receiving reports of sights of a male with a machete around the area.

Shortly before 5:30pm yesterday, Ditchling Road was completely blocked off by police cars as the man was arrested on suspicion of assault, making threats to kill.

Armed police were seen by passersby in one of these cars as they entered the scene.

Fortunately, Sussex Police said this unit was stood down, as they soon confirmed there was no machete involved.

Today, a spokeswoman for Sussex Police stated: ‘Sussex Police responded to reports of a young man with a machete in a private property in Ditchling Road, Brighton, just before 5.25pm on Thursday.’

‘However, on the arrival of the officers, it transpired this was not the case and there was no machete.’

An AA spokesman advised drivers to expect slow traffic around the area due to the road blockage.