HEIGHTENED security measures were put in place for a council meeting last night but the two concerns which prompted the decision proved to be false alarms.

The Brighton and Hove City Council’s last Full Council meeting of the year, which included a lighting of the Chanukah menorah by Rabbi Andreas Zanardo of the Reform Synagogue in Palmeira Avenue, proceeded without protests or disruption.

But additional security staff and police were in attendance outside the hall and attendees had to show ID or invitations to access the building, in accordance with a council decision taken yesterday morning.

No members of the public were permitted to enter the building during the candle-lighting.

On Wednesday evening a council employee made a report to Sussex Police of a vehicle acting suspiciously.

On Thursday morning Sussex Police advised the council to increase security.

At the same time Rabbi Zanardo was informed by Sussex Police a protest was planned to coincide with the ceremony.

Separately, councillors and the press were told by council officers there was a protest planned by pro-Palestinian campaigners outside the meeting.

Last night the police confirmed the initial report was no longer being treated as suspicious.

There was no demonstration.

Brighton and Hove Palestinian Solidarity Campaign tweeted: “No protest was ever planned for this evening by local campaigners for Palestinian rights.

“The idea that a religious ceremony would be targeted is inconceivable.”

In a statement the Sussex Jewish Representative Council said it pleased the candle lighting took place without incident.

A spokeswoman added: “However, that the candles which are meant to spread light in the winter darkness needed to be lit behind closed doors with security measures in place is a sad reflection of the society we live in.”

A council spokeswoman said it had taken a precautionary and proportionate response, adding: “We have since been told by police that there was no reliable information about a pro-Palestinian protest.”