Sussex Police: 40 arrests made during Brighton Pride
Sussex Police say a total of 40 people were arrested in direct relation to Brighton’s gay pride festival at the weekend.
Many of the offences related to theft, drugs, being drunk and disorderly, common assault or affray.
Brighton and Hove Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett said: “Given the sheer size of the event, I would say that the day was a great success and that the vast majority of people who attended had a wonderful weekend and will take home some very fond memories of Pride 2012.
Police have defended their crowd tactics after complaints that they had “kettled” members of the LGBT campaign group, Queers Against the Cuts in the parade.
However, police said they had walked at the back of Saturday’s parade, as in past years, to “safely manage” the event, which is attended by tens of thousands of people.
A statement from the organisers of Pride Brighton & Hove released this afternoon said:
“Recognising Pride itself was born out of protest, Pride Brighton & Hove welcomed all those that registered to take part in the parade. Queers Against the Cuts were no exception.
“We can confirm that we accepted their entry into the parade. It transpired that the group gave an open invite for people join them on the parade and Sussex Police raised some concerns about this.
“We were advised to move Queers Against the Cuts to the back of the parade; when stewards attempted to facilitate this the group declined to move.
“The organiser of their group was then informed that if they didn’t agree to move, we would require them to leave the parade. At this time the organiser agreed to move.”
