A shop worker was injured when he and a member of the public stepped in to try to stop a gang of four teenagers from shoplifting.
Both were praised by police and all four of the teenagers were arrested after the raid on a branch of the Co-op.
Sussex Police said: “Police were called to the store in Barnham Road, Barnham, at 5.44pm on Thursday 13 March, where a group of youths were reported to be stealing.
“After a member of staff challenged one of the suspects, he was pushed and punched to the face, causing bleeding.
“The youths then fled the scene. Two of them ran across open fields and were pursued by officers for approximately one mile. They were detained and arrested.
“The other two suspects returned to the scene and were also arrested.
“A 16-year-old boy, from Bishopstoke, Hampshire, was arrested and charged with assault by beating, criminal damage and theft from a shop. He has been released on conditional bail and is scheduled to appear before Worthing Youth Court on Thursday 8 May.
“A 15-year-old boy, from Emsworth, Hampshire, was arrested on suspicion of assault. He wrote a letter of apology and was given a community resolution and banned from the store.
“A 16-year-old boy, from Havant, Hampshire, and a 14-year-old girl, from Worthing, were arrested but later released and will face no further action.”
Chief Inspector Will Keating-Jones said: “The behaviour displayed in this case is totally unacceptable.
“Anyone who thinks they can freely enter a shop and take items without attempting to pay for them can think again.
“While it is well publicised that incidents of shoplifting have increased both locally and nationally, we are encouraged that retailers are continuing to report these incidents to enable us to respond accordingly and take action.
“In this instance, officers relentlessly pursued two of the suspects across fields in the dark, and they were eventually detained and arrested later that same evening.
“I’d also like to commend the member of staff and a member of public who bravely intervened to evict the youths from the store.
“The staff worker sustained facial injuries as a result and, again, I’d like to reiterate that this behaviour will not be tolerated.”
