Brighton: Sussex Police drone used in murder investigation

Officers were spotted in Bevendean yesterday afternoon amid an ongoing search for the weapon used in the suspected murder of teenager Mustafa Momand last week.

They were flying a drone from a green space near the junction of Medmerry Hill and Bevendean Crescent to get a view from above of the area.

Detective Chief Inspector Alex Campbell, senior investigating officer, said: "This is a fast-moving investigation and our efforts to establish the exact circumstances of what happened that day are ongoing.

Mustafa Momand (Image: Family handout)

"We know that a weapon – believed to be a knife – was used in the attack, and despite extensive searches of the area we have so far been unable to trace it."

Residents of Queens Road and The Avenue, Moulsecoomb were urged to check their gardens, bins and outbuildings for any signs of a discarded weapon.

A Sussex Police officer flying the drone on Brighton beach (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

But the search appears to have expanded as Sussex Police confirmed they were using the drone in connection with the investigation into the death of the 17-year-old.

Bevendean residents reported seeing officers lifting drains up and looking through bushes.

Read more: Police use drones with megaphones to patrol the streets and catch offenders

The force confirmed a weapon has not yet been found. 

A 16-year-old boy from Southwick was arrested in Moulsecoomb, charged with murder, and today appeared in Hove Crown Court.

Mustafa died in hospital on Thursday, October 5, after being stabbed in Queen’s Road near Brighton Railway station.

A section of Queen’s Road was closed for around a day while police continued enquiries including searches in Bevendean Crescent and Rose Hill Terrace.