Detectives are hunting a teenage gang that has revived the Eighties craze for stealing car badges.

Fifteen badges have gone missing from Littlehampton and Rustington but police, who are flagging the locations of each theft, say the gang are moving towards East Preston.

PC Pete Veentjer, of Sussex Police, said: "We want to nip this in the bud before it goes anywhere else because at the moment we are worried it is heading east."

The badge thieves have been identified through eyewitness accounts and one arrest as a gang of 11 to 15-year-olds.

In nearly every case they are causing further damage to the cars by crudely ripping the badges off and scratching the paintwork.

Number plates have also gone missing in the same areas and police are linking the crimes.

Hip hop group The Beastie Boys inspired Britain's biggest ever spate of vehicle vandalism after appearing on stage wearing Volkswagon badges as pendants.

Thousands of youngsters then hit the streets and ripped the badges off cars to copy their heroes, leaving motorists, particularly VW drivers, in despair.

But Sussex Police say a recent series of car badge thefts, which has already resulted in an 11-year-old being arrested and cautioned, is not linked to a similar fashion trend.

PC Veentjer said: "I don't think this is a hip hop thing or a fashion thing where they want to wear them around their necks.

"It's too random for anything like that and they are not targeting specific models."

A reward is being offered for the successful arrest and conviction of any of the gang.

PC Veentjer said: "We would like to point out this is a serious offence that will be dealt with like any theft from a motor vehicle or criminal damage.

"There does not appear a particular preference for any badge. Often when they are stolen, the thieves remove them in a crude manner, causing damage to paintwork as well as taking the badge and this could be very costly for the owners.

"We are asking parents to check their children's rooms and for teachers to be aware if any badges appear in schools."

The suspects are thought to be aged between 11 and 15 years old. Anyone with information should contact police on 0845 6070999