SHOP workers have told of their shock after a 13-year-old was stabbed in a town centre.

Dozens of police officers were searching Liverpool Gardens in Worthing yesterday, hours after five people, including a 12-year-old boy, were arrested over the attack.

Business owners spoke of their horror after the stabbing on Sunday which left the 13-year-old needing hospital treatment. It happened near McDonald's.

One shop worker in the nearby Montague Quarter said the incident was "really shocking".

She said: "You don't expect it with kids that age - it is truly shocking.

"I saw the cordon and the police officers stopped me getting to work.

"I was a little taken aback, you get the odd incident in Worthing but not so close to home as well.

"A stabbing is never a nice thing to hear about."

Yesterday numerous police officers were seen combing an area near Liverpool Gardens.

A drone was seen in the air as officers searched for evidence.

Chief Inspector Sarah Leadbeatter, district commander for Adur and Worthing, said: “As a parent and mother, I completely understand why the local community are so concerned by yesterday’s incident.

“While we are treating this as an isolated incident, I am well aware of the recent reports of youth violence, antisocial behaviour and criminal damage in the Worthing area.

“The behaviour we have seen among a small minority of young people in the community is deeply concerning, but tackling youth violence remains my priority, and my team and I will retain our robust approach to how we tackle this completely unacceptable behaviour and ensure those committing these acts are held to account for their actions.

“I would however ask, that people do not speculate or share names of young people across social media channels because this can severely hinder our investigation.

“Where people have witnessed or captured the incident on CCTV or mobile phone, I would urge you to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 874 of 13/03.

“While the investigation continues, there will be a continued high visibility police presence in and around Worthing town centre over the coming days.

“Rest assured, we will continue to work in partnership with other agencies and the local community to reduce violence among young people.”

The Argus: Police were seen searching the areaPolice were seen searching the area The area was busy with shoppers as usual yesterday.

One passerby told The Argus there had been "plenty of trouble" in the area recently.

He said: "I think there is a problem with youngsters and crime at the moment.

"I suspect because it is because they end up with gangs."

Another retailer claimed to have a baby's pram stolen from "under their noses" amid fears over ongoing crime in the area.

They said: "We had trouble when we first opened with homeless people sleeping in the doorway. That hasn't happened for several months now - the police have got involved.

"I was having to climb over them to get into the shop doorway.

"We had a pushchair stolen a few weeks back just underneath our nose, they came in and walked out with it."

Five boys aged between 12 and 14 were arrested yesterday in connection with the incident on Sunday.

A 12-year-old boy, a 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy, all from Worthing, were arrested on suspicion of committing grievous bodily harm with intent.

A 14-year-old boy from Littlehampton was arrested on suspicion of committing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon, a knife, in public.

A 13-year-old boy from Littlehampton was arrested on suspicion of attempted wounding with intent.