A helicopter and two lifeboats assisted emergency response at the scene

The bodies of three women were recovered from the sea in Brighton earlier today, Sussex Police has confirmed.

Emergency services rushed to the beach with support from a helicopter and two lifeboats, with coastguards in the water and large police presence on the shore.

The response came after concerns for the welfare of three women in the sea off Brighton at around 5.45am.

Chief Superintendent Adam Hays said: “This is a tragic incident and fast-moving enquiries are ongoing to confirm the identities of these three women and understand exactly what has happened.

“I know this is concerning for the community, but I would ask the public to stay away from the scene at this time while emergency services continue their work.

“We will provide further updates as soon as they are available.”

The bodies of three women were reportedly recovered from the water near Madeira Drive - to the east of Brighton Palace Pier.

Eight police cars and vans were spotted on the scene, with a cordon established to restrict access to a section of the beach near the car park where the bodies were recovered.

The RNLI said Brighton Lifeboat and Shoreham All-weather Lifeboat were launched this morning around 6am to assist with the search.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Emergency services were called to concerns for the welfare of three women in the sea off Brighton at around 5.45am this morning.

“Sadly, the bodies of three women were recovered from the water near Madeira Drive.”

Issuing a statement to media at the scene, Chief Superintendent Adam Hays has said police are "working hard with their partners", including gathering CCTV from homes and businesses, to understand exactly what happened.

He said: “Our priority right now is to identify all three women and contact their next of kin.

"I know this incident will be highly distressing for the community and we are working hard with our partners to understand exactly what has happened – this includes gathering and reviewing CCTV in the surrounding area, including from properties and local business nearby.

“Our partners in the Coast Guard are completing an extensive search of the water and, at this stage, we are not searching for anyone else.”

The beach will remain closed for at least the rest of the afternoon.