A Sussex Police spokesperson said: “Emergency services were called to a report of a person seen going into the water by Brighton Pier at about 3.50pm on Wednesday (12 April) in extremely rough sea conditions.
"Searches by the Shoreham and Newhaven RNLI lifeboats and the coastguard helicopter are currently ongoing along with coastguard teams and police on the shoreline.”
1. Brighton
Lifeboats and a helicopter are searching the water near Brighton Pier. Photo: Eddie Mitchell Photo: Eddie Mitchell
2. Brighton
Lifeboats and a helicopter are searching the water near Brighton Pier this evening (Wednesday, April 12 Photo: Eddie Mitchell
3. Brighton
Lifeboats and a helicopter are searching the water near Brighton Pier this evening (Wednesday, April 12) Photo: Eddie Mitchell
4. Brighton
Lifeboats and a helicopter are searching the water near Brighton Pier this evening (Wednesday, April 12) Photo: Eddie Mitchell