A POLICE operation aimed at combating youth antisocial behaviour and violence has resulted in a number of arrests.

Officers targeted crime hot spots in Eastbourne, Hailsham and Newhaven over the school holidays.

Police efforts focused on reducing violent incidents, engaging with young people to divert them away from crime and taking enforcement action where necessary.

As a result, 14 arrests were made for offences including grievous bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon and assault of emergency worker.

Other offences included possession of drugs, drink driving and actual bodily harm.

There were a total of 12 stop searches and 26 vehicle stop searches, as well as a number of bail checks, traffic offence reports and intelligence reports.

During the operation, officers took to the streets between 3pm and 11pm.

More than 30 reports of antisocial behaviour were attended by the Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

Chief Inspector Di Lewis, district commander for Eastbourne and Lewes, said: "We see first-hand the devastating impact crime and antisocial behaviour has on those living, working and visiting our communities.

"We are aware of recent reports of crime involving young people in Eastbourne, including robbery and knife offences, and youth antisocial behaviour in Newhaven and Hailsham.

"This behaviour is completely unacceptable, and by launching separate operations in those three towns, we are intensifying our ongoing efforts to tackle this issue and hold those responsible to account.

"We live in a beautiful part of the country, and we want people, both residents and visitors, to feel safe and welcome.

"We ask the public to continue reporting incidents to us - we can't effectively respond to a problem if we don't know about it.”

Chief Inspector Lewis said a common reason for young people to become involved in crime is county lines - when organised crime groups exploit vulnerable people, including children, by recruiting them to distribute drugs.

Police are reminding parents and carers of the signs to look out for, that may indicate a child is involved in county lines.

These include repeatedly going missing from school or home, having money, new clothes or electronic devices, getting high numbers of texts or phone calls, a decline in school or work performance and changes in emotional or physical well-being.