A man has been arrested on suspicion of imprisoning and exploiting vulnerable people.

Officers were called to a property in the Hollingdean area of Brighton on Friday to a report of a woman having been assaulted by a man.

The victim said the man had forcibly trapped her inside the property on a number of occasions through violence and intimidation.

Attending officers identified a suspect from the victim’s description and he was swiftly traced to an address in Southwick that afternoon.

A woman found in the Southwick property also reported being falsely imprisoned by the suspect.

She was safeguarded by police.

A 32-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm, two counts of false imprisonment, participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, making threats to kill, intentional strangulation, stalking involving fear of violence and failing to appear at court.

He has been remanded in custody to attend court today in relation to the outstanding warrant for failing to appear at court.

Chief Inspector Michelle Palmer-Harris said: “This was fine work by our officers, who proved once again there is no substitute for local knowledge.

“Following the initial call, they were able to swiftly identify and locate a suspect, which has meant two vulnerable people have now been safeguarded.

“I would like to commend all involved for their proactive response and reaffirm Sussex Police’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable people in our communities.”