Yobs Caught On Camera

The man, who has asked not to be named, took pictures of the young vandals as they went on the rampage at the Combar Avenue allotments last Sunday, smashing a glass cold frame with large boulders.

The man said: "There is an underlying problem in Rustington with vandalism. Things are just getting ridiculous now."

"This time, we have pictures, witnesses and a crime scene, so there's now no reason why something can't be done about this."

He has since passed copies of the pictures to the police in a bid to help them catch the youths.

This was the second such incident in less than a week, although it is not clear at this stage if the same youths were responsible for both attacks.

Michael Minton's allotment was badly damaged the previous Monday after bricks were hurled at his cold frame.

And not only was every pane of glass in the frame broken but he has also had to throw away all the onions he was growing.

"I was absolutely gutted when I saw what they had done, I also have two hundred pounds' worth of dahlias which I am hoping haven't been destroyed by frost."

Mr Minton has no idea why anyone would do something like this. He believes it is youths who have nothing better to do.

And although several residents have now had enough of the evil youngsters, they say they are just too scared to press charges in case the suspects' families go after them.

"I actually decided not to press charges, even though I had a pretty good idea of who did this," admitted Mr Minton.

A police press spokesman said: "Investigations into the second incident are still ongoing and the Rustington community beat officer David Seddon is currently making further enquiries."