A community will pull together to combat youths terrorising a shopping square, a councillor has said.

Southwick Square has been beset by problems with youngsters causing problems at a parade of shops, frightening locals and spitting at police.

The Argus: Many of the incidents took place after darkMany of the incidents took place after dark (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Residents are worried that the problems are going to get worse but Robina Baine, Labour councillor for the Southwick Green ward at Adur and Worthing Councils, which covers the square, said: “The problems in Southwick Square have intensified over the past weeks with intimidation and theft culminating in criminal damage to property."

Two teenagers were arrested - one for spitting on a police officer, and another for a public order offence - after tensions among the youths reached all-time highs last week.

Read more: Police officer spat on and shop ransacked as teenage yobs terrorise town square

Councillor Baine added: "Since the beginning of the year I have contacted schools and school governors and visited the stores, co-ordinating their experiences and speaking to managers, staff and customers who have been present when incidents have taken place.

"Overstretched police resources and cuts to youth services in recent years have not helped the situation and, although we are grateful for the police dispersal order which was put in place, this can only ever be a temporary measure.

"However, Southwick is, and has always been, a strong community and we will do everything we can to resolve this issue with the police, schools and residents working together. "

The Argus: The square has a parade of stores, from pubs to chip-shopsThe square has a parade of stores, from pubs to chip-shops (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

A nearby resident has told of the moment he ran into the “bolshy” children as he went to get shopping at the Co-op at about 5.30pm on Wednesday, February 1.

Sussex Police say they are aware of the ongoing antisocial behaviour in the area, and have utilised a range of policing powers - incuding dispersal orders - to "minimise disruption to the community, and keep people safe", a spokeswoman said.

Kevin Boram, Adur and Worthing cabinet member for communities and wellbeing said: “We’ve had a conference with the police and youth justice board to discuss this, and we’ve got a lot of pressure on the police to take action.

“There has been a huge uptick in antisocial behaviour since the pandemic, which I suspect is due to them having less interactions with older people in their community.

“We’re trying to work out how to engage better with the young people, and rebuild the community centres and football teams we lost in the pandemic."