Police have arrested 14 youths as they try to tackle rampant shoplifting and violence in a village.

Videos went viral of youngsters looting supermarkets and attacking railway staff earlier this month.

It led to a dispersal order from Sussex Police around Barnham Railway Station which meant officers could order any groups to move out of the area and not allow them to return for up to 48 hours.

Inspector Ross Wickings said groups travelled in over the Easter weekend from other towns which led to an “unacceptable incident” at the station.

The Argus: A video emerged of a rail security worker being attacked by four youths at Barnham StationA video emerged of a rail security worker being attacked by four youths at Barnham Station (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

But police were aware of problems in the area two months before this when they launched Operation Precinct which aimed to tackle youth crime in the Barnham and Yapton area near Bognor.

They have arrested 14 young people in total since the operation began in February.

More than 200 villagers went to a public meeting and claimed police were not in the area after the dispersal notice was issued.

One shopkeeper said: “Even if they’d just parked a van next to the station, that would have been something.”

Residents who spoke at the public meeting said they believe train connections make their village an easy target.

British Transport Police, who operate on the rail network, have tracked a group they dubbed the West Coast Nominals for more than two years.

An Argus investigation previously revealed how youths were using railway lines to ransack shops of cigarettes, vapes, alcohol and food items.

Incidents were reported between Barnham, Worthing, all the way up to Hove.

Police said they are now increasing patrols in Barnham and Yapton along with British Transport Police.

The Argus: An incident on July 18 last year where a girl stole cigarettes from Tesco Express outside Hove StationAn incident on July 18 last year where a girl stole cigarettes from Tesco Express outside Hove Station (Image: Newsquest)

The group has included brothers Archie and George Tilley who were jailed for attacking Worthing dad Alan Willson.

At the meeting, Barnham residents were told there were only 39 police officers on duty for the whole of West Sussex on the day a group of teenage girls were filmed attacking train staff and 16 of those were engaged in guarding scenes or at-risk people.

A further seven young people have been interviewed by appointment since the operation began. 

Three people have been charged in total and nine people will be dealt with via out-of-court disposals managed by the youth offending team.

Chief Inspector Will Keating-Jones said: “Residents and business owners are at the heart of the Barnham community and so it's important we hear their views. The meeting was constructive and we were able to discuss the huge amount of work which has already taken place to tackle the issues which concern residents during their day-to-day lives.

“We listened to residents’ feedback and explained what Sussex Police, and our partners, plan to do to make sure everyone in Barnham feels safe and is safe.”

“Our team has also worked extremely hard to issue four Community Protection Warnings (CPWs), which give the offender a set of conditions they must adhere to. If they breach the warning, it can escalate to a Community Protection Notice obtained through the courts.

“Sussex Police will continue to identify and robustly deal with those committing crimes in the area. We will ensure that the hard work continues.”