A major emergency services operation is underway off the coast of Brighton following reports of a woman in the sea during the early hours of Wednesday morning (April 16).
Sussex Police confirmed they were called just before 3am amid concerns for the welfare of a woman seen in the water near Brighton Palace Pier.
In a statement, the force said: “Police were called following concerns for a woman in the sea off the coast of Brighton just before 3am on Wednesday, April 16. Emergency services remain at the scene and we have no further information at this time.”
HM Coastguard said they were alerted at approximately 4am and launched a full-scale search and rescue response.
A spokeswoman for HM Coastguard added: “HM Coastguard is responding to reports of a possible person in the water in the Brighton Palace Pier area this morning, April 16. Alerted at around 4am, Shoreham and Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Teams, lifeboats from Shoreham and Brighton RNLI and a coastguard search and rescue helicopter have been sent to assist.”
Emergency services remain at the scene. The public is advised to avoid the area to allow crews space to operate.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
