A policeman was injured in a violent struggle with a man wielding a knife.
The officer, who has not been named, suffered a cut eye in the incident.
The injury is not believed to have been caused by the knife.
Police were called to a house in Brighton Road, Southwick, after claims a man had damaged a car.
Officers were told the suspect had run across the A259 coast road towards the beach.
Witnesses warned them the man was armed with a knife with a 6in blade.
The suspect, a man in his 20s, was spotted a few minutes later near The Pilot pub at Southwick.
Inspector Paul Amoo, of Adur Sector Police, said: "There was a violent struggle in which an officer suffered a cut eye.
"We believe this was as the result from a blow from a fist and was not caused by the knife.
"Officers at the scene used Captor spray in an attempt to bring the suspect under control.
"This appeared not to have any effect on him."
He added: "The suspect was eventually restrained by officers and was placed in manacles to secure his wrists and ankles."
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