Four Arrested After Brighton Kidnap Drama
Four suspects have been detained following a tense kidnapping incident on Ditchling Road, Brighton. Police sprang into action on Monday evening (17 October) after receiving a kidnap report, with urgent efforts to find and secure the victim.
Victim Rescued From Ditchling Road Flat
Detectives soon zeroed in on a flat on Ditchling Road as the crime scene. Police, including elite Counter Terrorist Specialist Firearms Officers (CTSFOs), swarmed the address shortly after 6pm on Tuesday (18 October). They recovered the victim, a 27-year-old local man, and took him to safety.
- A 20-year-old man with no fixed address and an 18-year-old from Midhurst were arrested on suspicion of kidnap at the scene.
- A third man, 25, also with no fixed address, fled and clambered onto a roof near Vere Road, throwing roof tiles and damaging cars. A specialist negotiator coaxed him down before he was arrested on kidnap charges.
- A fourth man, 27 and homeless, was nabbed at the flat for suspicion of Class A drug supply.
All remain in police custody as enquiries continue.
Police Praise “Calm Public” Amid Intense Response
Superintendent Adele Tucknott said: “Our top priority was safely recovering the victim and detaining the suspects. We used a mix of covert and overt tactics, including distraction devices that caused loud noises. No firearms were discharged.
“We thank the public for their patience and understanding during this operation. You may see increased police presence in the area as we carry on with the investigation.
“This appears to be an isolated incident with no threat to the wider community. Anyone with information should call 101 quoting Operation Bloomfield.”
The police temporarily closed a section of Ditchling Road during the operation, reopening it later that evening.
