Two violent robberies in Shoreham within 45 minutes of eachother

A police spokesman said two teenagers were walking along Middle Road at around 10.30pm last night, near the junction with Crown Road, when they were approached by three youths.

The three assaulted both boys, causing them to fall to the ground, and stole a rucksack containing a speaker, headphones, tobacco and an inhaler; and a bumbag containing a mobile phone, headphones, cards, clothes and tobacco.

It is believed their attackers came from a small black car which had two further occupants.

A passing woman helped the victims after the attack, police said.

Around 45 minutes later, at 11.15pm, a 23-year-old man was attacked by five youths at the junction of St Julian's Lane and Kingston Lane. The group had just exited a small black car believed to be the same as the one from the previous incident.

He was punched to the face and head and had his phone, wallet and rucksack containing clothes and medication stolen.

The vehicle headed north up Kingston Lane.

At least two of the five suspects are described by police as white, in their late teens, and wearing hooded jackets. One of them wore a black North Face jacket with the hood up, and a second had blond hair.

Police are appealing for anyone with any information about either incident – or anyone with any dash cam or CCTV footage which may have captured vital evidence – to come forward.

Officers are also urging residents in the area to keep an eye out for any stolen items of low value which may have been discarded.

You can report it online or call 101, quoting reference 47200172456.