Culprits sought for criminal damage in Middleton

Four teenagers are believed to have caused the spate of incidents.

Police Community Support Officer Clive Morge urged anyone who knew who was responsible for the criminal damage to report them.

“Damage caused by incidents like this can affect people’s lives, some of whom are elderly, and repairs cost money some residents can ill afford, particularly in the current financial climate,” he said.

The first incident happened about 11.30pm on March 5. Two plant pots were stolen from outside a property in Flansham Lane.

The smaller pot was used to smash the windscreen of a vehicle parked nearby. The larger pot was smashed on the ground in front of the vehicle.

Soon after, an ornamental gate light was broken and some traffic cones were thrown on to the front of a property at the north-west end of Middleton Road.

Two properties had double-glazed windows smashed by stones further east along Middleton Road.

A further property near St Nicholas Church in Elmer Road and one at the corner of Southdean Drive suffered similar damage.

PCSO Morge said: “Did anyone see four youths, possibly teenagers, along these roads during this do or know anything about what happened?

“This is an isolated series of events as anti-social behaviour incidents have been in decline in recent years in the area.”

Information about the offenders should be given to Sussex Police on 101 or anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

Descriptions and direction of travel offenders have taken should be noted,” PCSO Morge said.

It was also important for crime victims to report incidents on 101.