Brighton Pride festival 'a great success'

Brighton Pride celebrated its 19th birthday this year

Brighton's Pride festival has been hailed a "great success" by police.

Officers arrested 24 people during Saturday's event for offences including public disorder, possession of drugs, criminal damage, robbery and theft.

However, Chief Supt Graham Bartlett, of Sussex Police said despite a few "isolated incidents", the event was a successful showcase for the city.

He said: "Pride demonstrates how people from all communities can come together and enjoy what this city has to offer."

The festival attracted people from across the world and is one of the biggest events in the city's calendar.

For the first time, the main part of the festival taking place at Preston Park was a fenced and ticketed event.

St John Ambulance said staff treated more than 90 people during the day.

Deputy Chief Constable Giles York was among 50 police officers, staff and members of the Gay Police Association who took part in the parade from the seafront to Preston Park.