An 18-year-old man was reportedly arrested by Brighton police for a hoax call issued on April 18, where rescuers, including lifeboats and coast guard helicopters, went searching for a bogus missing person report.

Emergency services from Shoreham & Newhaven Coastguard, Brighton and Shoreham RNLI Lifeboats, Sussex Police, and Coastguard Helicopter 175 were mobilized to the scene for an intensive 4-hour-long search.

'This sort of behaviour is unacceptable. Purposely making a false report of this nature is an extremely serious offense and we will take robust action against offenders," said Detective Sergeant Toby Martin from Sussex Police.

Hoax call sparks large search and rescue for missing person that was later found to be at home
An 18 year from Luton has been arrested by Police after he reported a person missing in the water on Brighton Seafront at about 6:30pm Bank Holiday Monday evening,

Emergency services from Shoreham & Newhaven Coastguard, Brighton and Shoreham RNLI Lifeboats, Sussex Police and Coastguard Helicopter 175 wew all mobilised to the area and an intensive search was carried out lasting over 4 hours.

Detective Sergeant Toby Martin from Sussex Police added: 'This sort of behaviour is unacceptable.

'Purposely making a false report of this nature is an extremely serious offence and we will take robust action against offenders'