Police search for suspect who 'threw hot chocolate' over BBC journalist in Brighton

According to Sussex Police, the alleged assault happened at the Royal Pavilion Gardens at around 1.30pm on Wednesday, February 19.

Police said a man was 'reported to have thrown a cup of hot chocolate over a woman'.

At the time, Lauren Moss, a journalist whose Twitter account said she is a correspondent for BBC Health and worked for BBC South East as Political Editor & Education & Social Affairs Correspondent, tweeted the following.

She said: "Pretty distressing day in Brighton so far. A member of the public threw a cup of hot chocolate at me and screamed abuse about how he hates the BBC, literally moments before I went on air for @bbcsoutheast this lunchtime. Luckily the drink missed my face and hit my coat instead.

"Someone may not approve of my work or who I work for but I am a journalist just doing my job. Anti-media feeling like this is very concerning for anyone in the industry."

The tweets got thousands of retweets and likes.

She added: "Thank you all very much for your kind messages of support. Luckily I wasn’t hurt, nor was the cameraman, but I was shaken up and it could’ve been worse. I think it is important to raise this and discuss it though as a wider issue and concern for all journalists. Thanks again."

Yesterday (March 4), a police spokesman said: "Police have since obtained the CCTV attached image of the suspect.

"If you recognise him or have any information about the incident, please report it online or call 101, quoting serial 76 of 20/02.

"You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report it online."