A childish fad for pelting cars with apples is putting lives at risk, police have warned.

Drivers, homes, and even one person on a mobility scooter have been targeted in an outbreak of yobbish behaviour on the streets.

Community leaders are blaming school holiday boredom.

Recent windy weather has left hundreds of rock-hard early-season apples lying around in Peacehaven.

Now residents are being asked to pick up fallen fruit to stop youths throwing it around.

Three drivers have reported incidents in Roderick Avenue, Meridian Way and Firle Road in the past week.

In one case an apple sailed through an open car window and came out the other side. Police fear a serious or fatal accident could be caused if drivers are shocked into suddenly swerving.

Sergeant Robin Fuller, of Sussex Police, said: “We sometimes have this when we’re getting towards the fruit season.

“You end up with a situation where the driver takes avoiding action.”

Police have identified three suspects and police plan to visit them and their parents to nip the behaviour in the bud.

Sgt Fuller said: “They will be warned in relation to their behaviour and their parents will be informed. If they learn by it, that is fine. If they don’t, we will make sure they do.”

Councillor John Livings, leader of Peacehaven Town Council, said: “It is a problem I am aware of.

“One or two people mentioned it at my surgery on Saturday.

“It has become a dare game. It is quite worrying.”

He pointed out the danger to the elderly, saying he knew of one case where a person on a mobility scooter had been pelted.

He said: “The fruit is really hard at this time of year. If the apples are thrown at older people it could push them off balance and they could fall or break something. It is the knock-on effect of something that starts off as a game but ends up with serious consequences.”

Coun Livings backed the police’s calls for people to clear up fallen apples to remove the temptation.

He said: “People should be aware that if they are left lying around they could be a hazard to somebody else.”

Neither the police nor councillors believe the culprits intend to cause injury with their behaviour.

Coun Livings said: “It is school holiday boredom. I don’t think there is anything malicious in it but it is something to do when you’re bored – without them realising what the consequences could be.”