Police leaders have apologised to revellers at this year's Pride gay festival who were angry at being filmed.

Critics say the officers who refused to explain their actions led to participants feeling threatened and intimidated.

Chief Inspector Peter Mills, of Brighton and Hove police, said: "That was never our intention."

Complainants said intrusive facial shots were taken at the event in the city in August, even though no crimes were being committed and no public disorder was happening.

Dr James Walsh, West Sussex county councillor, told Sussex Police Authority he was aware of three complaints.

He said: "Police were perceived to be unhelpful and potentially threatening.

"When people asked the officers why they were being filmed no explanation was given. They felt intimidated."

Chief Constable Ken Jones said the force was dealing with a formal complaint.

He said the film teams were working for the safety of the public and the police officers and to help improve safety at future public events.

But, he said, he was disappointed if officers did not explain their work.

Coun Walsh asked if the footage of individuals would be destroyed. The chief declined to answer in public and said he would write to the councillor.

Mr Mills, in charge of police planning for next year's Pride, met with organisers and other agencies yesterday.

He said Evidence Gathering Teams (EGTs) did not film all the time and their presence often acted as a deterrent and stopped problems escalating.

They had been called in when 2,500 Pride participants were evacuated from The Dome and some were trying to get back in prematurely.

He said: "Some had been drinking and there were real risks of crushing. An EGT filmed the crowed and it stopped a lot of the pushing."

He said EGTs were called to the Party in the Park in Preston Park, Brighton, in the summer when alcohol was being sold illegally.

He said there were some people who felt events were being over-policed and he apologised: "It was not our intention for that to happen."

Police, he said, had always had a good working relationship with Pride organisers and he was committed to maintaining that.

Talks were being held with them concerning next year's event, he said, and any lessons learnt this year would be acted upon.