Vandal Aged Nine

Officers detained the nine-year-old and a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of causing 15,000-worth of damage at a Lyminster nursery on Saturday night.

Police detained three others in Angmering at about the same time after youths were spotted ripping up fencing and throwing pieces onto the railway line.

A police spokesman said: "This is an extremely serious offence.

"The maximum sentence for this is life imprisonment as it is endangering the lives of passengers."

One youth was so violent that police had to restrain him physically before he could be detained.

Eye-witnesses living in Warren Crescent, East Preston, saw a group of 12 youths aged between 13 and 18 causing a serious disturbance in the area.

The youths did not stop at vandalising the railway line, but were also reported to police for assault and robbery.

A railway worker called to clear the line was attacked by the group, who pinned him against the fence.

People living nearby came to his aid and chased off the youths before calling the police.

Neighbours were intimidated by the group, who, at one stage, could be heard kicking front doors and shouting abuse.

Another assault was also reported, believed to have been by a member of the same gang.

A man contacted police to say his son had been attacked and some drink taken from him.

CCTV footage from Angmering railway station has been passed to British Transport Police, who are still investigating the incidents.

Three boys were seen causing mayhem at Sandfield Nurseries, Lyminster, when they commandeered a lorry and drove it round the site.

For the full story, see the Gazette, July 4.