Crackdown After Attack

They now face a major crackdown by police after serious disturbances in both villages, culminating in an attack on the patrol vehicle used by Arun's new community wardens team, during a visit to East Preston.

Police have warned that anyone causing trouble will be arrested, daily patrols of the villages have been stepped up, and "direct action" will be taken to ensure the disturbances cease.

Anti-social behaviour by youths in the two villages has been a problem for some time, and last year around 1,000 East Preston residents and traders wrote to MP Peter Bottomley, chief constable Ken Jones and Arun council leader Norman Dingemans, calling for action.

Matters came to a head the weekend before last, however, when nine youths, aged between 14 and 18, were charged with public order offences after trouble broke out in Rustington, as reported in last week's Gazette.

Police called to the disturbance came under attack from a hail of beer cans and bottles before bringing the situation under control.

The following night, police were called out to East Preston, where a large group of youths was causing trouble in Sea Road.

And last Wednesday, a brick was thrown through the window of the Ford Fiesta car used by Arun's community wardens, employed by the council as a "deterrent to anti-social behaviour" in problem areas. The car was parked and unattended at the time, while the wardens were on patrol.

Chief Insp Steve Whitton, the new Arun police district commander, said: "The behaviour of these teenagers will not be tolerated. Let this be a warning. Officers have stepped up patrols and will arrest anyone causing trouble."

Inspector Liz Walker, who is in charge of the new neighbourhood policing team based at Littlehampton, said residents were frightened and traders were losing money as a result of the disturbances. Troublemakers would be arrested and taken home to make their parents aware of their behaviour.

"I am sure they will be surprised and take a closer interest in what their children are getting up to, and we are being supported by the schools in this matter. The message is that this behaviour is unacceptable and we will not tolerate it."

Angmering School head teacher David Brixey confirmed the school's determination to act with the police. "We believe it is important for all young people to learn to behave sociably in their community."

Last weekend was said to be quieter, but an 18-year-old man was arrested at The Street, Rustington, following a report of a disturbance by a group of youths on Friday night.

A spokeswoman for East Preston Traders' Association told the Gazette: "It was virtually a pitched battle the other Saturday. We have a real problem, and it will kill this village. It is very demoralising."

East Preston Parish Council said in a statement: "We deplore the unacceptable, anti-social behaviour and vandalism which has been happening in East Preston for at least the past nine months to a year. We are liaising with police and the traders' association on these matters."