Groups of teenagers have been causing chaos in a city centre which is hit by thefts, assaults and shoplifting on a daily basis. Antisocial behaviour is widespread across Sussex, impacting cities, towns and villages alike. Police have been forced to issue dispersal orders following incidents involving young people, with one in place this weekend in Barnham, a village which has been in the news for weeks for being 'held hostage by feral youths' .
Brighton city centre is also a frequent victim of antisocial behaviour committed by children and adults alike. Sussex Police statistics show that, in March alone, 34 public order offences, 74 shoplifting offences, and 80 violence and sexual offences were reported in the city centre. The Argus has spoken to shop workers in the area who say they have been subjected to verbal abuse, vicious assaults and relentless shoplifting from teenagers.
A Poundland worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “This sort of behaviour is happening every day, between 4 and 7pm. It’s worse during school term time. We get thefts, assaults, everything.
It’s just chaos.” Poundland in Western Road is a frequent target of antisocial behaviour (Image: The Argus) Another member of staff revealed that he had been assaulted three times by groups of teenagers, including being hit and sprayed in the face with aerosols. “They come in big groups and steal things," he said.
"We try to stop them but they just get abusive and aggressive. “You can’t touch .
