An upmarket paint shop was trashed as police responded to a report of man behaving “eratically” in Brighton, East Sussex. The man allegedly broke into a Farrow & Ball branch in Western Road and began throwing paint, including at police who had to done riot gear to remove him.
The business owner alleged: “Someone has broken into the shop – he has thrown all the paints around. I think he locked himself inside.” They added that the man left with the ambulance. Another claimed: “There is a guy inside smashing everything. They are negotiating with him.” They described it as a “stand-off”.
The man was later taken out of the shop on a stretcher and taken to hospital.
Photos of the scene showed a smashed window with paint spattered on the glass, as well as large amounts on the floor.
Police reportedly emerged from the shop covered in paint.
A spokesperson for Sussex Police said they were called “to a report of a man acting erratically and causing a disturbance in a shop in Western Road, Hove, on Wednesday at about 3.25pm”.
“The man refused to comply and threw objects at the officers,” they added. “He was eventually restrained safely and has been taken to hospital for medical treatment. No one was hurt in the incident.
“The road was closed while officers dealt with the incident, but has now re-opened.”
