Sussex Police Appeal to Identify Man After Woman Sexually Assaulted in Cheapside, Brighton
Images of the man Sussex Police want to speak to after the Cheapside assault report (Image: Sussex Police)
Sussex Police is appealing for help to find a man after it was reported that a woman in her 20s was sexually assaulted in Cheapside, near London Road in Brighton, at around 2.30am on Friday 9 October.
The force has released two images of the man it wants to speak to. It says the suspect is reported to have approached the woman after walking behind her for some distance, and that a member of the public found her. Anyone who knows where the man is, or has footage or information, is asked to come forward, quoting Operation Toronto.
UPDATE, SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER 2026
Sussex Police says it now believes it has identified a man. The force made the statement at 6.01pm on 11 October in an update to its appeal. No arrest or charge had been announced at the time of writing.
Source: Sussex Police appeal, "Man sought following sexual assault in Brighton", published 8.54pm on 9 October 2026
What Sussex Police says happened
According to the appeal, it was reported that a woman in her 20s was sexually assaulted as she walked uphill in Cheapside at around 2.30am on Friday 9 October.
- The suspect is reported to have approached the woman after walking behind her for some distance.
- A member of the public located the woman.
- The suspect fled the area on foot in the direction of London Road.
- The woman is being supported by specialist officers as the investigation continues to move at pace, the force says.
The man police want to speak to
Sussex Police describes the man it would like to speak to in connection with its enquiries as:
- in his mid to late 20s
- white
- with dark hair
- with a short blond or brown beard and moustache
In the images the force has released, the man has a grey hood up and is wearing a dark padded jacket, light blue jeans and dark trainers.
What police are asking the public to do
Sussex Police asks anyone who knows the whereabouts of the man pictured, or who has any footage or information that could assist the investigation, to make a report online or by calling 101, quoting Operation Toronto. In an emergency, the force says to always dial 999.
What the divisional commander said
Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Adam Hays said in the appeal:
Sexual violence has no place in Brighton and Hove, and we will not tolerate it in any form.
We take every report of sexual offending extremely seriously and are committed to doing all we can to protect the public, support victims, and apprehend those found responsible.
We encourage anyone who feels unsafe, witnesses suspicious behaviour, or has concerns about someone's actions to make a report to police.
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays, Sussex Police Divisional Commander
Support if you have been affected
If this has affected you, or you have been a victim of sexual violence, these services are listed by the Safe in the City information site.
- The Saturn Centre is described there as the Sussex Sexual Assault Referral Centre, offering free support and practical help to anyone in Sussex who has experienced sexual abuse. It is open 24 hours a day on 0800 033 7797.
- Survivors Network is a specialist rape and sexual violence service for anyone in Sussex, on 01273 203380.
- Rape Crisis is the national umbrella body for Rape Crisis centres in England and Wales, on freephone 0808 802 9999.
Where this appeal came from
This article is based on the appeal Sussex Police published on its own website at 8.54pm on Friday 9 October, in its appeals section. Every detail above comes from that appeal and its images. You can read the original here:
Update from Sussex Police
At 6.01pm on Sunday 11 October, Sussex Police said it now believes it has identified a man in connection with the appeal. The force had not announced an arrest or a charge when we checked. ImJustBrighton will update this article if police publish more details.
The original appeal, published at 8.54pm on 9 October, is still the source for everything above about what happened.
Sources and further reading
This article is based on the Sussex Police appeal of 9 October 2026. For more police appeals and crime news, see police appeal and crime coverage on ImJustBrighton, and the latest from Brighton and Hove.
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