Store guard mown down by thief

The man was left lying in the middle of Marine Parade on Monday lunchtime after the shoplifters sped away from the scene.

He suffered a broken collar bone and severe bruising and was taken to Worthing Hospital but released later that day.

The man, a Shopwatch security guard believed to be based at Debenhams in Chapel Road, received a call at around 1.10pm alerting him to shoplifters running out of the back exit of the Marks & Spencer shop in Montague Street.

He arrived at the scene and was running across the road at Marine Parade when he was struck by the car.

An ambulance attended after five separate emergency calls were received from horrified onlookers.

Police are appealing for witnesses to help them trace two suspects, a man and a woman, wanted in connection with both the original theft and the subsequent incident.

Speaking at the scene, Chief Insp Jason Taylor said: "A shoplifter stealing from one of the stores in town was being chased and, in the process of trying to stop him, the security guard was knocked over.

"His injuries were not life threatening but he was in a lot of pain. We will be looking at CCTV footage."

Anyone with any information should contact police on 0845 6070999.