Police have made eight arrests after a spate of attacks on foreign students in West Sussex.

Detectives say the assaults, carried out by gangs of teenagers, have centred in parks around Shoreham and Southwick.

The area's police commander, Chief Inspector Martin Walker, said: "Officers are committed to stamping this out and will arrest anyone involved.

"Adur is a safe place for students to visit. I will not permit bullies to spoil our visitors' enjoyment of our district."

Police arrested four 13 to 15-year-olds - three boys and a girl - within 20 minutes of eight German students reporting being attacked and having property stolen at The Green, Southwick, at about 10pm last Thursday.

The students had their bags taken and also lost a wallet, mobile phone, cash, watch and camera.

Detective Inspector Ray Scales said: "There have been three incidents in recent weeks with attacks on two groups of Germans and a group of Finnish students.

"Eight people have been arrested and have been put on police bail.

"Each time we received calls from members of the public and acted swiftly. We urge any foreign students who are subject to attacks or harassment to report this to the police, so that we can properly identify any hot spots and act accordingly. We also appeal to residents to come forward with information."

The attacks have sparked outrage among the local community and have been condemned by Adur District Council chairman Liza McKinney.

She said: "Our policy on racism is absolutely written in stone. We are totally anti any racist attacks or anything that smacks of racism. Our message is that we won't put up with it."

Every summer police in Sussex go into language schools and colleges to give safety lessons to the latest intake of foreign students as part of Operation Columbus.

Officers carry out high visibility patrols when the students first arrive and attend at the hint of any problems.

Police say if any student is a victim of crime the attack is treated as a racist incident.

Two years ago in Worthing a 19-year-old Chinese student needed stitches after he was punched in the face in an unprovoked attack but language schools say problems have eased due to Operation Columbus.