Police to up security as Labour conference comes to Brighton

Preparations for Labour Party Conference in Brighton. Photo by Eddie Mitchell.

Armed officers will patrol the streets as large crowds are expected in the city.

While the conference takes place from Sunday, September 24 to Wednesday, September 27, one of the main events is set to be on Saturday, September 23, when at 6pm, party leader Jeremy Corbyn will hold a rally at The Level.

This will be followed on Sunday, September 24, by a number of planned marches across the city – in addition to Brighton and Hove Albion’s match against Newcastle United at The Amex at 4pm.

Sussex Police said large crowds are anticipated throughout the day.

The planning for this event – Operation Otter – by Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove City Council, has been underway for the past year.

Police said recent events worldwide have focused attention on the safety of such events and patrolling armed police officers have become a routine sight in Sussex.

There will be a number of armed officers working across the city and police will again be making use of other safety measures such as road barriers

Armed police in Brighton. Picture by Eddie Mitchell SUS-170916-111245001

Superintendent Jane Derrick said: “As always, we ask that people demonstrate a certain level of personal responsibility including things like taking care of belongings, following personal safety advice and flagging any issues or suspicious behaviour to event staff or police.

“Disruption is being kept to a minimum with city centre car parks open as usual and fencing at the front of the Brighton Centre placed to enable people to walk by without having to cross the road. The only planned road closure will be the crescent in front of the Grand Hotel.

“Passes and a search will be a condition of entry to the Brighton Centre and people elsewhere may be stopped as part of the overall policing response with several fringe events planned in the city.

“You will see more officers in the area in the lead up to and throughout the conference. Please talk to them if you have any questions. Policing levels for the city and the rest of Sussex will not be affected by the operation.”