Police hunt arsonist after tent is torched

The tent opposite the War Memorial Fountain at the Old Steine, was set on fire at about 6.20pm on Sunday.

The incident happened after an argument between two homeless men and another man.

After the exchange, the tent was set alight, leaving part of the homeless man’s home in charred fragments.

Witnesses said the tent was put out by passersby with help from the fire service.

The tent has now been removed from its spot in the Old Steine.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

Jim Deans, campaigner against homelessness, said attacks on the street community were a regular occurrence.

He said: “I think there’s the general public are frustrated as the numbers have grown so much.

“The public are fed up of seeing them on the street, and those on the street are fed up with being there.

“The community is combating attacks themselves by getting together into groups for protection.”

Pictures from the scene show the partly destroyed tent, moments after the fire.

The fire service can be also be seen inspecting the area.

Mr Deans said his buses, which shelter homeless people in Madeira Drive, were attacked last Friday.

He said: “There’s been three windows on the bus smashed.

“About eight or nine 19/20-year-olds showered them in stones while people were in there.

“The same group then showered a couple of tents on the beach.”

In 2016, a homeless man’s head was set on fire as he slept in the Royal Arcade, Worthing.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “At about 6.20pm on Sunday evening police were called by the fire service, who had put out a fire at tent in Old Steine, Brighton.

“The occupant was not present when officers attended and there was no report of any injury.

“The incident is being treated as arson, as another person was seen running away before the fire.

“The occupant of the tent has not yet been traced.

“Anyone with information can contact the police online at or call 101, quoting serial 1222 of 14/07.”