We had been made aware of businesses near Durrington railway station in Goring being continually ransacked by children.

One is the Co-op in Field Place Parade, Durrington, which has been targeted for months.

When I visited to interview customers, I saw a girl walk in and grab a sandwich, cereal bar and soft drink from the shelves then walk out in broad daylight without paying.

Two girls on July 15 allegedly stealing cider and other items from Co-op. The case has been dropped due to 'insufficient evidence'. Man in the centre is an innocent passer-by

She was no older than 15 and her behaviour was completely nonchalant. Store staff watched on helplessly.

The incident happened just after 2pm on Monday, July 25.

I had been sitting in my car about to leave when I noticed the girl, accompanied by two boys, walking from Durrington railway station, 100 metres from the Co-op.

After the youths left the shop, one staff member told me they are so “terrified” of going home by train, one stop away, they now pay around £9 extra for a taxi at the end of their shifts.

Staff are encouraged not to intervene with the "rampant" shoplifting.

On Tuesday we revealed a 'wanted' style poster of 30 notorious boys and girls known to police, dubbed the West Coast Nominals, had been drawn up. It was given to Southern Rail staff to help with “safeguarding and crime prevention”.

A spate of incidents

On July 15, two girls were seen to enter the store, with one shopper claiming they stole items including alcohol.

Sussex Police dropped this case due to "insufficient evidence".

There was another alleged shoplifting incident reported to police on July 19. The investigation for this incident is "ongoing".

A day before our visit, the same Co-op had a wheelie bin set on fire which nearly spread to the flats above.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was "deliberate" and Sussex Police said enquiries were "ongoing".

The aftermath of a wheelie bin fire behind the shop on July 24

Exactly one week after our visit, on Monday, August 1, youths went into the store and “threw shopping baskets” at staff.

Sussex Police arrested three boys on suspicion of several offences including affray, robbery and common assault but all three have been bailed, pending further enquiries.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "Officers responded to a disturbance at a Co-op store in Field Place Parade, Worthing, between 1.30pm and 2.10pm on August 1.

"A 13-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of affray, robbery, theft, criminal damage, and common assault.

"A 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of affray, robbery, burglary, common assault and theft.

"A 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of affray, robbery, assault by beating and theft."