A woman probation officer was held hostage at knifepoint for more than an hour in her office.
Police sealed off William Street shortly after 3pm yesterday while armed officers and trained negotiators dealt with the situation.
The female probation officer, who has not been named, was unharmed a 19 year-old man was arrested.
He was due to be questioned by officers this weekend.
Superintendent Peter Coll said: "We responded very quickly and fortunately the woman in question was not hurt. Our inquiries are continuing."
Brighton police were involved in another hostage situation on Friday night when they sealed off Albert Road, off Dyke Road, after reports that a man was being threatened by another in a house.
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