THIRTEEN people were arrested last night as a town centre descended into disorder.
Arrests were made for assaulting an emergency worker and violent disorder as police blocked off an area of Shoreham High Street.
Officers were first called at 10.30pm after reports of a young man damaging a car in Upper Shoreham Road.
They arrived at the scene and attempted to arrest the suspect. But, as they did this, a large group of youths arrived at the scene and began acting aggressively towards the force.
Officers called for back-up and police cars soon filled town centre roads, blocking them for almost an hour.
It has also been reported that an ambulance attended the scene.
In the fracas that followed, police made 13 arrests and, after the incident, issued a dispersal order "to stop large groups of young people from congregating in the area".
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A Sussex Police spokesman said: "Police have made several arrests and issued a dispersal order after disorder broke out in Shoreham.
"Officers were initially called at 10.30pm yesterday to reports of a young man causing damage to a car in Upper Shoreham Road.
"Police attended but when they attempted to arrest the suspect, a large group of youths descended on the area and became aggressive towards the officers.
"Additional police units were deployed to High Street and Shoreham Footbridge, where the disorder was centred.
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"Thirteen people have been arrested for offences including assaulting an emergency worker and violent disorder.
"The initial suspect was the last to be arrested, in the Shoreham Beach Green area.
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"All of those arrested have been taken to custody.
"A Section 34 dispersal order has also been issued for Shoreham town centre until midnight tomorrow to stop large groups of young people from congregating in the area."
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