POLICE have been given extra stop and search powers to combat youth crime in a seaside town this Halloween.

This follows the revelation that a child gang in the area had been singling out vulnerable youngsters then filming as they viciously attacked them.

In one assault three young thugs forcing a child to his knees then repeatedly punching, stamping and kicking him in the head.

Investigating this, Sussex Police said they had "uncovered a wider picture of violence involving and affecting young people in the town".

This included discovering several similar attacks.

Superintendent of Adur and Worthing Miles Ockwell said the victims in these incidents were "11, 12 and 13-year-olds, and the perpetrators are very young themselves".

He also said there was a "small group of young people" and several of these were "known to police".

Another incident earlier this month saw a 16-year-old boy left in a serious condition after being attacked at Goring Station.

This followed the stabbing of a 16-year-old in South Farm Road, Worthing, earlier on the same day.

Supt Ockwell said: “I can’t say it is directly linked [to the youth violence] but it is another incident of serious violence which could have been worse.”

After this spate of violence involving young people in the town, police in Worthing have been issued with enhanced stop and search powers.

Chief inspector Sarah Leadbeatter, district commander for Adur and Worthing Police, said: “The decision to put this order in place has not been taken lightly and shows the seriousness of our response in light of what we have been experiencing .

"I am determined to ensure that young people are able to go out tonight and enjoy themselves and this action will enhance our ability to target those who are on the streets for criminal purposes.

“The vast majority of recent incidents of violent behaviour are linked to a small group of young people and this order is a short-term measure aimed at targeting and disrupting them and it complements work that we are doing in partnership with other agencies and the local community to reduce violence among young people. 

"The order will allow police officers to search anyone and seize any weapons found in the Worthing District without grounds until 3am on Friday. Those who fail to submit to a search will be committing a criminal offence.

“For parents of children going out during this festivity period please take the time to explain the stop and search order and encourage them to speak to our officers if they have any concerns.

"There will be an enhanced level of policing in place this evening and I hope that those young people and adults who are out to enjoy themselves will find this reassuring. 

“We need the community’s support and help to tackle this unacceptable behaviour.

"We are aware some of you are feeling intimidated by the small group who are behind the majority of the violence and we need you to come forward to us to aid our investigations. 

“There are many ways you can report matters of concern either to us online or by calling 101 or anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers or Fearless.”