Yobs attack German students

In separate attacks one young German received a cut lip and another had a cigarette stubbed out on his head.

Ride-by thieves on cycles have been making off with overseas students' rucksacks.

And in another incident a fire extinguisher was squirted at students from a passing car.

Sergeant Trish Reeve-Fowkes of the Bexhill Neighbourhood Policing Team co-ordinates local student protection work under the yearly Operation Columbus initiative.

She described the late-season upturn in theft and violence against language students as worrying.

She said two assaults on groups of German students have taken place on consecutive nights

Just as a group of students were making their way home after using the basketball hoop on the Down at about 10pm last Thursday they were approached by a group of English 16 and 17-year-olds.

One asked the group for a cigarette before moving off.

A few moments later one of the English youths approached the students, punching him in the face, splitting his lip and then ran off towards the Down.

The following evening at about 9.55 a different group of German students were walking towards the town from the Viking fish bar when they were approached by English youths.

One of the youths punched a German student on the chin.

Sgt Reeve-Fowkes said: "One of the English youths then put out a cigarette on the head of one of the German students, causing an injury before running off, again towards the Down.

Two youths were arrested.

Between 9.30pm and 10pm on Sunday a fire extinguisher was fired from the open window of a passing blue Peugeot as German students were leaving Bexhill Youth and Community Centre in Station Road.

The sergeant said: "Luckily, nobody was injured but a number of students were shocked by the incident."

In three separate incidents, German students enjoying recreational activities in Egerton Park have been robbed by English youths who have snatched rucksacks from the ground as they rode past.

Sergeant Reeve-Fowkes said that on each occasion the rucksacks have been recovered later from the vicinity but with money stolen from them.

"Students have been warned now not to carry valuables with them."

Anyone who witnessed any of these incidents or who has information is asked to contact Sergeant Reeve-Fowkes at Bexhill police station on 0845 6070999.