ROWDY youths have been told to keep out of town after officers were attacked in a park.

As many as 450 had gathered at Gildredge Park in Eastbourne on Friday night.

While most were good natured, officers have to make arrests for drunk and disorderly behaviour, and attacking the police.

It follows a spate of recent incidents including the arrest of 15 youngsters in Shoreham for attacking police.

Read more on The Argus: 13 arrested after police were attacked in Shoreham

Dispersal orders were also put in place at Hove Lawns last month and in Worthing and at Victoria Park in Haywards Heath this month.

The Argus:

The force said: “A dispersal order was put in place for the park on Friday night (July 24) to stop people from gathering, and to prevent any associated antisocial behaviour.

“Our officers were conducting high-visibility patrols in the park to identify and address any criminal activity.

"There were approximately 450 people gathered in the park and although a number were of good nature, there were four arrests for assault on an emergency worker and drunk and disorderly.

Read more on The Argus: Dispersal order issued at Hove Lawns as hundreds of youths chant at police

"Two police officers received minor injuries. A piece of sound equipment was seized and two police cars were damaged.”

Following the incident at Gildredge Park Chief Inspector Di Lewis said: “We put these measures in place ahead of the weekend to minimise any antisocial behaviour like we have been seeing recently in Gildredge Park.

“Disruptive behaviour from large groups will not be tolerated and while our officers will always aim to engage with those responsible in the first instance, they will take further action where necessary as can be seen from Friday’s arrests.”