Sussex police chief Paul Whitehouse helped catch two suspects after an alleged homophobic knife attack last night.

The midnight attacks happened at Dukes Mound, Brighton, a popular meeting place for homosexuals and a hot spot for homophobic assaults.

The Chief Constable was inspecting a vehicle bomb-search site for the Labour conference at nearby Black Rock when one of two victims ran up to him, saying he had been attacked with a knife.

Mr Whitehouse summoned assistance and a police squad car took the victim on a search of the area.

Minutes later, two suspects were in custody.

The victims, both local, were injured but did not need hospital treatment.

The drama marked the end of a busy night for the Mr Whitehouse.

Earlier, he was at the Royal Pavilion for the launch of Celebrating Diversity, a campaign to stop discrimination against minorities, including homosexuals.

He later toured the Labour conference "Island Site" to talk to officers on duty.

Mr Whitehouse was meeting search police at the vehicle inspection site when the attacks happened.

He said: "Several officers left the scene after the report came in.

"Then a man came up to the gates and said he had just been attacked by two men with knives.

"I called to get a police car to drive him round the area looking for suspects.

"Soon afterwards, officers arrived at the site with one man in custody."

Two Sussex men, aged 21 and 23, were arrested and were helping with inquiries at Brighton police station today.

Inspector Paul Smith, heading the inquiry, appealed for witnesses to contact him on 0845 6070999.

The last homophobic attack at Dukes Mound happened two weeks ago, when a victim suffered a wrist injury.

And Ricardo Saroyan-James, 29, needed 26 stitches and suffered a broken nose and chipped teeth after being attacked in St James Street, Kemp Town, for being gay.