AN EYE-WITNESS has described seeing a “young man defending himself with a traffic cone” during an attempted shooting.

Police shut down city centre streets after an assault in Rock Place, Brighton.

Adam Kidd witnessed the incident from his window while working at the nearby Academy of Creative Training in Rock Place and called the police.

He said: “I heard shouting so I went to my window and I saw two young men having an altercation.

“One of the men had a weapon pointing at the other but it was hard to see as he was hiding it in his sleeve.

“The young man wasn’t hurt – he defended himself with a traffic cone.

“The man with the weapon then ran off in the opposite direction.”

Police confirmed the victim had not suffered any injuries.

The Argus: Residents have reported that they heard “shots fired” during the incident.Residents have reported that they heard “shots fired” during the incident.

Residents have reported that they heard “shots fired” during the incident.

Brighton and Hove Police were called to the scene at 11.50am.

They have released a statement as the search for the suspect continues.

A Brighton and Hove police spokesman said: “We are in attendance at Rock Place, Brighton, following an early report of a man being assaulted by someone who was potentially carrying a firearm.

The Argus:

“We have located the victim who has not suffered any injuries.

“Officers, including firearms colleagues and the police helicopter, are conducting high visibility patrols in the area to locate any suspects.

“Some of the roads around St James’s Avenue have been closed.

The Argus:

“Enquires are also ongoing to establish if the victim and suspects are known to each other.

“Anyone who witnessed the assault can report information online or call 101 quoting Operation Spyglass.”