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Two pedestrians have been taken to hospital after being hit by a moped in Brighton.

The crash happened on the lower promenade near the Kings Road Playground at about 13:50 BST, Sussex Police said.

A woman in her 50s suffered a serious leg injury but both pedestrians are in a stable condition.

A fight was then reported to have erupted between the riders of two mopeds, one of which had been involved in the crash.

Det Insp Laura Hillier-Diamond said: "This was a shocking incident in a busy public area in broad daylight."

A second moped was seen closely following the one involved in the crash, with two riders on each, the force said.

One of the riders fled on foot, and the mopeds continued to drive along the seafront path after the crash.

Fight with weapons

Sussex Police said it was then reported that weapons were used during a fight between the three remaining riders on the ramp leading from the lower promenade to the pavement of Kings Road, opposite The Metropole Hotel.

One man then ran away from the scene, and the two remaining men drove away on a moped, it said.

A second moped was found abandoned nearby and all suspects were described as white, wearing dark clothing, balaclavas and helmets.

Ms Hillier-Diamond said the force had increased its presence along the seafront, while an investigation was under way to identify those responsible.

"We are appealing to the public for any information that could assist us," she added.

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