A 13-year-old boy was injured after being hit by a rifle pellet.

Police cordoned off an area of Hove last night after a report that a rifle was being fired and the boy had been hit in the shoulder.

He was injured while standing on the pavement in Buckley Close, Hangleton, at about 10.15pm.

When officers arrived they also heard rifle shots and left their car to investigate. Armed response officers and the police helicopter were also drafted in.

Just after midnight a 20-year-old man, from Hove, was arrested for firearms offences and wounding. He is in custody helping police with their inquiries. An air weapon was taken away by police.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “The boy, who suffered quite a deep wound near his collarbone, informed his mother immediately and so we were able to act quickly.

“On our arrival we found a window broken to the door of a block of flats and it looks like street lights had been shot at.

“Fortunately, no one else was injured during the incident. The boy was treated by ambulance staff and did not receive hospital treatment.”

Police are interviewing a number of witnesses and are asking anyone with information to contact them on 0845 6070999.