Foreign students are targeted by muggers, thugs and racists at a rate of 13 a week, shock new figures have revealed.

Thousands of young students from all over the world come to Sussex every year to improve their English at the county's numerous language schools.

But a darker side of their experience has emerged after it was revealed there were 648 offences against 666 foreign students reported to police last year.

The crimes range from the theft of mobile phones and bags to violent beatings and sexual assaults.

The news has sparked fears the economy in towns such as Eastbourne and Worthing could be hit if foreign students decide to go elsewhere for their education.

Last year, police launched crackdowns in Worthing and Lancing following attacks on foreign students and officers carried out a similar operation in Eastbourne as attacks on young foreigners rocketed.

Corinne Niblett, who ran CN English Tuition in Haywards Heath for 20 years before retiring recently, said life for foreign students was becoming much more dangerous.

She said: "Over the years I certainly witnessed an escalation in violence against the students. We would often dread the phone ringing on a Friday or Saturday night in case one of them had been attacked. There are cultural differences that undoubtedly exacerbate the problem.

"For example Spanish students want to stay out all night, because that is what they are used to at home but of course it can be very dangerous.

"Unfortunately I think it can put people off coming here, especially if their parents hear about a student being mugged or beaten up.

Nevertheless the figures are higher than I would expect and it is very worrying."

The police figures, released under Freedom of Information Act, show the problem was even worse in 2005 with a total of 752 reported offences.

Tom Wye, the Mayor of Worthing, said: "These figures are absolutely shocking and those who perpetrate crimes against foreign students should be ashamed of themselves. These young people are visitors to our town and should be made welcome, not hounded out by criminals."

The news has led to a stark warning that the economic impact of crimes against young foreigners in tourism towns such as Eastbourne could be huge.

Eastbourne councillor David Elkin, who is responsible for the borough's tourism policies, said the attacks could have a negative effect on the town's image.

He said: "This is an issue in most towns with a high number of foreign students unfortunately but the knock-on effect of such crimes is huge.

"People who get mugged or attacked will not want to come back and will tell their friends and family about it, so there is a lot of potential for damaging the town's reputation."

A police spokesman said the force had introduced a ground-breaking initiative to drive down crime against foreign students which had since been adopted in other areas.

Operation Columbus is a county-wide scheme to deal with troublemakers who target foreign students. Police have regular meetings with foreign language schools and hand out illustrated advice leaflets.

Yobs with previous convictions for racial violence are targeted and there are high-visibility patrols in areas where students congregate.

Police yesterday urged students to stay in groups and not to stay out too late.