Update on police helicopter above Eastbourne

Armed police were also involved in the reported incident in the Shinewater area.

It turns out what people thought was a weapon was in fact a toy gun.

A police spokesperson said, “The National Police Air Service helicopter assisted Sussex Police following a report of a man in possession of a firearm in the Shinewater Park area of Eastbourne about 5.15pm on Monday July 29.

“An area search was carried out without trace, and further enquiries revealed the item reported was a toy gun. Officers were subsequently stood down.”