THERE has been a spate of serious and violent incidents in Sussex in recent weeks with police officers attacked and fights involving large groups with weapons.
What is most shocking, however, is that several children have been arrested in connection with the crimes.
In Shoreham on July 11 two police officers were set upon by a “large group of youths” as they tried to arrest a young man over reports of damage being caused to a car.
WATCH>>>Police clash with 'large group of youths'
A female officer was pushed to the ground and punched in the head in the vicious attack.
In the days that followed the late-night assault, police made 16 arrests in connection with it.
At least 13 of these were children, with police confirming that youths as young as 14 had been detained.
Two days after that brawl, on Monday last week, officers were called to Three Bridges following reports of “an altercation between a group of youths”.
Police said some of them had weapons.
Officers attended the scene and arrested four teenagers aged between 15 and 17 and a 25-year-old man on suspicion of offences including affray and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
Then on Friday last week, a 14-year-old boy suffered head injuries and concussion in a violent assault at Lyons Farm recreation ground in Worthing.
Three teenagers from Worthing, two aged 16 and one aged 14, have been arrested in connection with the incident.
READ MORE>>>Boy, 14, suffers head injuries in park attack
On Tuesday, police released an appeal for witnesses after a 13-year-old girl was assaulted in Epinay Park, Peacehaven.
Despite this series of incidents, Sussex Police said that during the lockdown they saw a “significant reduction in violence and anti-social behaviour involving young people”.
READ MORE>>>Girl injured in Peacehaven assault
Two of the incidents happened in the Worthing and Adur district, where there were problems with youth violence last year. It is not known if these are linked to the recent scuffles.
A video emerged online in October last year showing a group of teenagers attacking a lone child in Worthing, forcing him to his knees then repeatedly punching, stamping and kicking him in the head.
Officers investigating the incident “uncovered a wider picture of violence involving and affecting young people in the town” and found several videos showing similar assaults.
Several arrests were made as police looked into the videos and Sussex Police confirmed in January that six boys would be appearing at youth courts for charges of causing actual bodily harm.
READ MORE>>>Child gang film vicious attacks on lone youngsters
So far it is known that two 13-year-old boys have been convicted, with punishments including referral orders, restraining orders and compensation costs.
Superintendent Miles Ockwell was one of the leading officers on this case and he has responded to recent cases of youth violence across Sussex.
He said the vast majority of young people had been well behaved during lockdown.
Supt Ockwell said: “A small minority of young people have been involved in antisocial and violent behaviour in recent weeks.
“I want to point out that, during the lockdown we saw a significant reduction in violence and anti-social behaviour involving young people.
READ MORE>>>Second boy convicted in Worthing youth violence investigation
“Young people across Sussex abided by the Government advice and they should be praised for this.
“The incidents we have seen over recent weeks have been committed by a very small minority of young people and we understand the concern within local communities.
“I need to say to those who are intent on causing antisocial behaviour or are willing to use violence, that Sussex Police and your communities will not tolerate it.
“We will not hesitate to make arrests where necessary, as we did last weekend when we arrested 16 young people for a variety of offences, and we will take actions through the courts as evidenced by the obtaining of a Criminal Behaviour Order this month against a 13-year-old boy in Worthing who had committed multiple offences of violence against other local children.
“I need to remind parents and guardians that they also have the responsibility to ensure their children are not causing disruptive behaviour, and urge them to be more intrusive with their children about what they are doing and who they are with.
"Ultimately, we will also take action against parents if they are not taking their parental responsibility towards their children seriously.”
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