A thug left a Co-op shop worker with serious head injuries after attacking him as he tried to prevent blatant shoplifting at a store in Portslade.
Police have arrested and bailed two boys, a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old, one of them suspected of having been armed with a knife.
Neighbours found the shop closed on police advice after the attack and one said that it was not the first time that youths had just tried walking out with goods without paying.
Sussex Police said: “Police were called to a report of an assault at the Co-op store, in Abinger Road, Portslade, at around 7.30pm on Sunday (27 August).
“A 23-year-old man attended hospital with serious head injuries.
“A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, possession of a bladed article, possession of class A and class B drugs and theft.
“A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm, theft and possession of class B drugs.
“They have both been released on bail pending further inquiries.”
The Southern Co-op said: “We’re deeply saddened by the incident involving our colleague who we will be offering follow-up help from a trained trauma support colleague.
“Crimes like this are unacceptable and we’d urge anyone with information to speak to the police.
“While we’ve taken a number of security measures to protect our colleagues as much as possible, unfortunately incidents such as this are on the rise and experienced by many retailers, not just ourselves.
“The sad reality is that this behaviour impacts the whole community and we all need to work together to resolve these issues.”
Feral scum. Punish their useless Parents. We have to hold their Parent’s to account, current punishments evidently don’t work, sentence the crotch goblins mums and if applicable, dads.
How bloody dare you, We are perfectly good parents, the child has a happy home life and lots of love , help and support in various areas both internally and externally to the home and what he does outside the house is out of our control, we repremand when we know of things we are presentable both hard working people who do not claim benefits, we live in a workd where youths have taken control and hurl obuse and threats at their elders (I blame social media for alot of this, age restrictions are useless if kids lie about age, they should have to prove I.D to set up accounts). Also we cannot control the type of person or gangs they hang around with, unfortunately they think the world owes them everything and are invincible. Think hard before you start accusing patents we are not all bad and it takes its toll on us with the hurt and upset and shame we feel , knowing what these kids do and have done outside the house.
I wouldn’t worry about what Paul says, Debbie. He’s known for just being an aggravating presence with little to no substance. No-one here really listens to what he says.
What they release them for surely their is enough evidence to be dealt with in court within 24 hours and make the parents stand in court with them and explain why their kids are not taught right from wrong
It feels like a low-res image of that specific Co-op crops up here every month.
Disgusting cowardly behaviour.
I hope that the victim is recovering well. No one should go to work and end up being assaulted.
Disgusting – this crime will be exarcebated further by the leniency doled out to the offenders – carrying a knife should have a minimum prison term of 3 years, doubling up for every further offence
ABH AND GBH, Possession of class A & B drugs and in possession of a knife, wow, I would expect some lengthy prison sentence, but it will just be community service probably, I agree that it time the parents were also held responsible for there little darlings which is of course what they will say they are in court
Thanks David Cameron for cutting the police force, this is a direct result. No police to deal with shop lifting. They should bring back the stocks for this kind of behaviour not some wet community order.
I am devastated and upset that the lovely manager of COOP Abinger Road was subjected to this brutal assault. This group of youths have been plaguing and intimidating local shops in the evenings for a few years now, to an extent when some shops and other vital businesses just lock the doors. They and their families are, as far as I know well known, but nothing has been done as they (the youths) have been too young until now. A couple of years ago, I confronted one of them, when trying to steal and intimidate a local shopkeeper. The kid told me ‘I AM GOING TO SHANK YOU’. At that time, I do not even think he knew what shanking was. Told him that I will chuck you in the Canal (Shoreham Port down the road) if you try that. The ‘Portslade Massive’ , Fishersgate F***wits, or whatever they call themselves, should have been nipped in the bud years ago. Leaving abusive comments such as ‘Feral Scum’ is not helpful, whatever you think about their parents and the stupid hooligans is not helpful. Whatever you think of them. What worries local businesses, could be revenge attacks, as the offenders are already out on bail. Come on local Police, deal with the bored wannabee gangsters, before it gets to this point.
Have you spoken to your Ward Councillors? You’ve got Hamilton, Helliwell and Atkinson in your area, if I remember correctly. They can be useful people to champion issues like this, particularly if there’s an ongoing concern.
Let us know how you get on!
I have no sympathy whatsoever with this idea of young people being ‘bored’. It is not up to society to provide entertainment for anybody, young or otherwise. No excuse whatsoever for this abhorrent behaviour.
Actually the assaults against the coop staff have continued, since that incident. The store is having to close at 19:00hrs every night, due to the amount of staff that have left as a direct result of the intimidation.
I know when I grew up, parents knew exactly what I was doing, and took appropriate action if I misbehaved. That said, this is not a simple case of misbehaving, from what I read, it’s a dereliction of duty as parents to appropriately deal with issues you’re child clearly has. You cannot defend this behaviour, and having had dealings with tue staff in this shop, I’m appalled that corrective behaviours have not been applied. You may well be good people, I don’t know you, but you’re argument doesn’t stant up if you have a child that doesn’t reflect you’re alleged behaviours. If you’re good parents, then correct the behaviour In you’re image with you’re kid, and stop them from basically frightening people who are there to do a job and are good at it. They don’t deserve it. Please don’t imagine you won’t have criticism on something that essentially is you’re responsibility, and please remember kids are you’re kids for life. Not just when they are nice, but also when they are not. Please think upon you’re decisions and reflect upon yourselves, not others. Please think also of how horrific it may have been and is constantly impacting the staff that are left as a direct result of the misbehaviour of the alleged children. This needs to stop now.