Police officers carried out high-visibility patrols in Hove this afternoon as they continued to search for three men seen with a gun and a machete yesterday (Thursday 10 March).
Sussex Police said that officers were following a number of leads into the whereabouts of the men and their reasons for having the weapons.
Detectives are keen to speak to a man who alerted police to the three men.
He is thought to be the driver of a small flatbed lorry and spoke to an officer in Sackville Road.
He is described as white, aged in his forties, wearing a white or cream T-shirt and may be a builder or tradesman.
Brighton and Hove divisional commander Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett said: “Officers are continuing to work in the area to offer reassurance to the community and also talk to anyone with information about the incident.
“I understand that people may be concerned about incidents of this nature.
“But I would like to reassure the public that Sussex Police has very effective measures which are immediately put in place if there is any perceived threat to the public or police officers, as was shown by my teams yesterday.”
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.