Hooligans' time is up

That is the message from Adur police, who are planning a crackdown on yobs who hang around the centre of Lancing.

Following problems last year with a gang of teenagers beating up foreign students and plaguing residents in North Road and Grinstead Lane, police officers will be stepping up their patrols in the area over the summer.

An officer will be patrolling in North Road every evening in a bid to stop the large groups of youths from gathering and causing problems.

Adur sergeant Ian Cooke said: "Over the Easter holidays we've had reports of large groups of up to 40 youths hanging around Monks recreation ground, North Road and Grinstead Lane areas.

"Of those, there are a hard core of troublemakers, while most of the others are just hangers on. From this week we are launching a zero tolerance attitude to crime in this area. The youths will be arrested for any offences committed or reported for offences. They will be spoken to and letters will be sent to their parents informing them that their child was hanging about in a gang which attracted police attention.

"The message is to parents: 'Do you know where your child is and what they are doing?'

He added: "These groups, even if they are not committing public offences or crime, are intimidating for passers-by and the elderly. Residents living in these areas have already started to complain. It affects their quality of life and they put up with enough of it last year."