A knife‑wielding attacker confronted pedestrians on Sillwood Street in Brighton, prompting a swift police response and the arrest of a suspect.
A local resident was walking with his young son and their dog, Mars, when the assailant seized the dog and threatened the group. The witness held his son in his right arm and the dog in his left, intending to reach a nearby café.
Despite being grabbed, Mars barked at the attacker, drawing the assailant’s attention away from the people nearby. During the struggle another man was struck in the eye, and a separate individual was punched in the face.
The witness released the dog and fled with his son toward a nearby burger restaurant, using the brief distraction to reach safety. He later returned to find Mars surrounded by onlookers, his fur stained with blood but unharmed.
Police cordoned off the street and treated two victims with serious injuries. A 29‑year‑old suffered facial and ear lacerations, while a 28‑year‑old passenger was struck through a taxi window and required hospital care.
The taxi passenger recounted that the attacker burst through the vehicle’s window, slashing his eye and ear before the driver drove him to the hospital. He remained under observation for several hours before being discharged.
Officers arrived shortly before 6 p.m. and detained a 33‑year‑old man on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm with intent. The suspect, a local resident, was tackled by members of the public, his knife was seized, and he remains in custody.
Detective Inspector Stephen Taylor described the event as distressing and serious, confirming that victims are receiving support and that a thorough investigation is underway. Police continue to encourage witnesses to come forward and maintain heightened patrols in the area.
