Four Worthing teenage paperboys were attacked and robbed as they carried out their rounds.

The schoolboys, all thought to be about 14-years-old, were set upon by two older men in the Goring area of Worthing yesterday (Mon) morning.

They had set off from two local shops, The Elm Grove Newsagents in Elm Grove, and The Vino Newsagents in South Street.

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Each one was attacked individually at about 7am in nearby streets. Two bikes and a mobile phone were taken.

The two boys who left Elm Grove, both 14 and pupils at Durrington High School, were said to be recovering well yesterday.

The 45-year-old father of one of the boy's, who asked not to be named, said: “Physically he is ok, but obviously he is shaken. He is at school and is getting on with it.

“But he was upset this morning - you could hear it in his voice when he was on the phone to me. They didn't do anything to him.

“He was up the pathway when two older boys came up. One of the boys already had a stolen bike and the other one jumped on my son's bike and rode off.”

Owner of The Elm Grove Newsagents Alan Seyfi, 71, said: “We are supporting the boys involved.

“They were obviously not expecting it. I am furious it could happen.”

He said one boy was targeted in Elm Grove and the other in Caterbury Road. 

An 18-year-old local man had been arrested on suspicion of robbery and was in custody last night.

Sergeant Jo Webb from Sussex Police said: “We are still looking for a second suspect and anyone who saw any of the incidents or has any other information is asked to call us on 101.”