Armed police officers to be deployed for UK’s biggest Pride festival
Deployment aimed at ensuring safety at UK’s largest Pride festival
Armed officers will be deployed for the UK’s largest Pride festival, police said following the attack on Berlin’s Pride event.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting condemned the “absolutely horrific” van and stabbing attack in the German capital that left one person dead and injured at least 29 others.
The suspect – named as Abdul Ballout and said to have links to the so-called Islamic State group – was shot dead by police on Sunday after being on the run for nearly 24 hours.
He was suspected of slamming a van into people gathered for the festival in the German capital, killing one person, before stabbing others with a machete.
The attack came a week before the UK’s biggest Pride festival is due to take place in Brighton and Hove – which attracts an estimated 500,000 people to the city.
A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “As we look ahead to Brighton and Hove Pride, I want to reassure those attending, as well as residents, businesses and visitors across the city, that their safety remains our top priority.
“We will be working tirelessly this week and throughout the weekend, building on the extensive planning that has taken place over many months with event organisers, Brighton and Hove City Council and other partners, to keep everyone safe and ensure an effective policing operation is in place.
“Uniformed policing, plain-clothed officers and specialist teams including armed officers will be deployed across the city, which all form part of our comprehensive plans for policing this event.
“We encourage everyone attending Pride to enjoy the celebrations, look out for one another, and report any concerns.
“If something doesn’t feel right, speak to one of our officers or a member of security. In an emergency, always dial 999.”
The leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, Bella Sankey, said in a post on the council’s Facebook page: “We are deeply saddened by the attacks at Berlin Pride and our thoughts with all those affected.
“We stand in solidarity with the LGBTQI+ community and, as we look forward to Brighton & Hove Pride this weekend, we want to reassure all those attending that we are working closely with Brighton & Hove Pride, Sussex Police and our other partners to keep everyone safe.
“We look forward to Pride being a celebration of the diversity, joy and, above all, the unity of our community.”
Mr Streeting suggested the attack in Berlin showed why Pride events were still necessary.
He added that such events in the UK were already “always well policed” and struck the right balance between public safety and allowing people to celebrate.