Hundreds of teens descend on seaside town for out-of-control house party
Detectives launch appeal after an 18-year-old was assaulted in the aftermath
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Police swooped in to shut down an out-of-control house party in West Sussex after hundreds of uninvited teenagers caused chaos with locals reporting their cars punched and kicked.
The house party in Worthing is said to have spiralled out of control on Friday night after an invite to the party was shared on social media, in chaotic scenes reminiscent of the movie Project X.
Neighbours reported their cars being kicked and punched before police shut down the party, while officers launched an appeal after an 18-year-old was assaulted and taken to hospital at around 10.30pm in nearby South Street.
Pictures taken at the scene show large crowds of teenagers surrounded by police while standing on the grass in front of a home in Poulters Lane.
Locals took to social media to complain about the disruptive incident in the quiet seaside town, with Facebook user, Zoe Hannah Ellett, posting online: “Just drove through and had the side of my car kicked.”
Another user, Lucie Ann, posted: “I had mine punched.”
Sussex Police said officers were called to reports up to 200 people were causing anti-social behaviour at the party.
The force said the party was shut down and the area cleared after a Section 34 Dispersal Order was authorised.
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Officers were called to reports of a group of around 100 to 200 people causing anti-social behaviour following a party at an address in Poulters Lane, Worthing at 8.30pm on Friday.
“Police were quickly on scene and a Section 34 Dispersal Order was authorised, giving officers and designated police staff the power to disperse individuals behaving in an anti-social manner.
“The party was dispersed and the area was cleared.”
The man injured in the assault was taken to hospital for injuries and police are working to identify the suspect, the force added.
Witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to contact Sussex Police online or call 101 quoting serial 1474 of 23/02.