Two teenagers have been arrested after shots were fired in the early hours of this morning (Sunday 21 July), Sussex Police said.
The force said: “Two people have been arrested after police responded to a report of shots fired at Northgate Playing Field, in Crawley, at about 3.30am on Sunday 21 July.
“An immediate search of the area was carried out, including the use of a drone with thermal imaging capabilities, and no injuries were reported.
“Further searches of the area led to a knife being recovered, in nearby North Close, and two suspects were located at an address in the same street.
“A cordon is in place in the vicinity of Northgate Playing Field as searches of the area continue and the public can expect to see a heightened police presence in the area this afternoon.”
Detective Chief Inspector Pauline Lane, District Commander for Crawley and Mid Sussex, said: “Thankfully, incidents of this nature are extremely rare. However, I am mindful of the concern this will have caused local residents.
“I’d like to reassure the public that we’re treating this as an isolated incident with no threat to the wider community and work is ongoing as we seek to establish the exact circumstances of what happened.
“Our officers will be carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the area and I would urge anyone with any information about the incident to please come forward.”
Sussex Police added: “An 18-year-old man from London was arrested on suspicion of possession of a knife in public and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
“A 14-year-old boy from Kent was arrested on suspicion of possession of a knife in public.
“Both remain in custody at this time.
“Anyone with any information about the incident, including any mobile, dashcam or CCTV footage, is asked to report it online or call 101, quoting Operation Venice.”
