VANDALS have been attacking a home in East Worthing, arsonists attempted to torch a house in Durrington and thieves have been targetting shops and shoppers.
Apple attackVANDALS smashed a number of panes of glass when they pelted an East Worthing greenhouse with apples.
The owner of the greenhouse, a 92-year-old woman, called police in despair on Friday, November 14, after seeing her Meadow Close property subjected to days of apple attacks.
Police are linking the attacks to vandalised fencing in nearby Meadow Road.
Assault and robberyTWO men have been arrested in connection with the assault and robbery of a man in East Worthing.
The attack happened at around 10.50pm on Monday, November 17, in Angola Road, when a man was beaten to the ground by two other men, who then went through his pockets.
The two men then made off towards the seafront.
Witnesses called police with descriptions of the men and officers later made two arrests.
One of the men was found in possession of a mobile phone believed to have been stolen in the robbery.
Both men are helping police with their enquiries.
Saved by noiseA WOMAN awoke in the middle of the night to find arsonists had attempted to set fire to her house.
The arson attack took place in Mendip Road, Durrington, at around 1.30am on Sunday, November 16.
The woman, who was alone in the house, was woken by the sound of her back gate banging in the wind.
After securing the gate, she noticed curtains in her front room which were blowing through a small, open window had been set alight.
She quickly extinguished the blaze and called the police.
Sgt Ian Kerr, from Worthing police, said the attack was being treated as arson and added: "This was a very nasty incident which could have got much worse.
"It could have been very traumatic if she hadn't been woken by the gate banging."
Police injuredA SHOPLIFTER injured four police officers as he tried to escape from a Worthing superstore on Monday, November 17.
Police were called to the Waitrose store in High Street to reports a man had been caught shoplifting.
As they spoke to the man, he ran off and was pursued by shop security guards, who rugby-tackled him to the floor.
Police and community support officers then attempted to restrain the man, who became increasingly violent in his struggle to escape.
Officers used incapacitant spray to bring him under control after three police and one community support officer received injuries from kicks.
One officer was also grabbed around the throat.
Purse snatchersPURSE snatchers struck again in Worthing town centre on Saturday, November 15.
Purses were stolen from elderly shoppers in Chapel Road and Montague Street in two separate incidents on Saturday morning.
As in recent spates of purse thefts, neither victim saw the thieves and only noticed the thefts when they went to pay for items.
Police have urged shoppers to keep their bags secure while shopping in the town centre and to be vigilant to anything suspicious.
AppealAnyone with any information about these or other crimes should contact Worthing police on 0845 6070 999 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
If a crime is taking place, and/or lives are in danger, always call 999.
-------------------------------------
Click here to go back to Worthing news.Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.Email the Herald: letters@worthingherald.co.ukClick here for the Herald staff directory.Want to read this page in French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Urdu or 48 other languages? click here for Google translate.
