Three children have escaped with a slap on the wrists after police uncovered a bizarre playground game which involved stealing car badges.

A total of ten youngsters were arrested after officers in Littlehampton recovered 140 car badges from the homes of local children earlier this month.

One boy has been reprimanded on two counts of theft, and a further two boys have received reprimands for handling badges.

Another seven boys will answer bail over the next month.

The number of thefts in Littlehampton have skewed Sussex Police crime statistics which show across the rest of the county there were only 22 reported thefts of car badges in January.

In Littlehampton alone 42 thefts were reported to police.

Inspector Mark Hammond, who has been investigating the thefts, said: "This is such a unique type of crime in respect of its volume and limited location that it is very difficult to say whether or not it is the norm.

"It is only down to the hard work and persistence of my Operation Mamba team that we have managed to recover this amount."

The badges are from all types of cars, but Mercedes, BMWs and Fords tend to be the most popular.

Inspector Hammond added: "It appears that this is a game carried out by a particular year group at a local school.

"The staff of the school involved have been extremely helpful and proactive in helping us.

"It may be a game to those involved, but it causes significant distress and cost to those owners of cars affected. This is straightforward criminal damage and will not be tolerated.

"We are determined to pursue those involved and when identified, they will be arrested and dealt with in the appropriate manner.

"These youths must understand that being arrested will result in fingerprints and DNA being taken from them, as well as having a criminal offence against their names.

"Parents and guardians must also understand the full implications."