Youths are said to have been using the Worthing line and targeting nearby shops with "military precision", jumping off trains and heading to businesses to carry out crimes.

Southern Rail has seen a spate of anti-social behaviour between Goring, all the way up to Hove station for several months.

The Argus can reveal an onslaught of crime inflicted in and around train stations along the Worthing line.

It ranges from stealing food, to crates of cider, cigarettes and an arson attack in a platform cafe at Worthing Station in the early hours of June 13.

Sussex Police identified these four girls after a shoplifting incident at Tesco in Hove on July 18

The spate of youth crime has got so bad in the area that British Transport Police created a poster of 30 notorious boys and girls to help Southern Rail staff with "safeguarding and crime prevention efforts".

Outside of railway stations

In one case, Sussex Police put out a public appeal to identify four girls who were caught on CCTV stealing cigarettes and pastries from a Tesco in Denmark Villas 100 metres from Hove Station on July 18.

The damning footage shows girls ransacking the shop and taking turns to steal cigarettes while staff watch helplessly.

They were identified on the same day as the police appeal and the video taken down.

Two of the girls at the Tesco in Hove on July 18. Two girls went behind the counter to steal cigarettes (Image: Newsquest)

Sussex Police's investigation into the shoplifting incident is "ongoing" as of August 23.

No arrests have been made.

Officers believe the incident at the Hove Tesco is linked to another theft at the Co-op store Field Place Parade, Goring, on June 14 at 5.45pm.

We revealed yesterday how the store has been blighted by shoplifting, with one customer claiming to have witnessed at least eight different incidents.

The Worthing line is used by children to commit their spree of crimes at nearby businesses.

Kwik Vape, Worthing, saw its window smashed with an iron bar

Simon Lawrence, owner of Kwik Vape in Tarring Road, Worthing, was threatened with being stabbed in February. A 14-year-old boy was arrested following the reports.

The shop owner, 46, also says he was spat at, and his store’s front window was smashed with a metal pole.

The boy, from Worthing, was released under investigation as enquiries into these alleged offences continue.

Sussex Police have now confirmed that he was charged with two counts of assault and one count of criminal damage. He is due to stand trial on December 12.

On July 15, children were said to have got off a train at Durrington railway station before walking 200 metres to Co-op in Field Place Parade, Goring, and allegedly stealing crates of Strongbow Darkfruits in broad daylight.

The investigation for this incident has been filed due to "insufficient evidence".

While on July 19, a report was made to Sussex Police about verbal abuse near the same train station before items were stolen from the same Co-op.

The investigation for this incident is ongoing.

Crime map of youth crime we have reported this year

On the railway lines

Two girls, aged 14 and 12, were arrested in connection to an arson attack at Worthing Station on June 13 by British Transport Police.

A bookshelf in the waiting room infront of Puccino’s café at the station was set alight at around 5am.

It caused “significant damage” and left the café shut still to this day.

The two girls were released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Puccino's at Worthing Station is still closed. Right shows charred walls and ceiling following the arson attack

British Transport Police has also increased patrols at train stations in the Worthing area following an “increase of youth anti-social behaviour”.

When asked by The Argus the force could not confirm when patrols started in response to the increase of youth antisocial behaviour, adding that there "isn't a specific date for when these began".

British Transport Police Inspector, Jaz Savage, said: “In response to an increase of youth anti-social behaviour incidents in West Sussex, we’ve stepped up patrols on trains and at key stations in the region.

“Tackling this issue requires a multi-agency approach, and as such we’re working closely with our partners at Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and Sussex Police to respond collaboratively to this crime type.

Durrington-on-Sea is one of the stations affected

“Our message is that no one has to put up with anti-social behaviour. Everyone has the right to travel in peace and safety, and we encourage anyone who experiences anything that threatens this to report it by texting us on 61016.”

A spokesman for Southern Rail said: "We care passionately about the safety of our people and passengers and we’re collaborating with the police, schools and social services to address problems of youth disorder in the area.  

"We know from other organisations that this is a part of a broader community issue; the behaviour of this group of individuals is being experienced across West Sussex.

“With cases of this nature involving young, potentially, vulnerable people we recognise that it's a complex situation and we continue to work across multiple agencies to support their efforts and safeguard our colleagues."

What have we reported so far?

30 children known by British Transport Police put on a poster. George and Archie Tilley who almost killed Alan Willson last year can be seen on the poster with their faces crossed out. They each have 12 years written underneath them, the sentences they were given

On Tuesday, we revealed that British Transport Police (BTP) made a poster of 30 children that was hung up in Southern Rail offices.

It has mug shots of 30 children, including Archie and George Tilley who shattered the skull of Alan Willson, leaving the 47-year-old with permanent brain damage after beating him with logs last year in Longcroft Park, Worthing.

The purpose of the poster was to "aid safeguarding and crime prevention efforts" following continued harrassment from children.

BTP referred itself to the Information Commissioner's Office. 

Yesterday we revealed how a Co-op store was ransacked in Durrington and staff were assaulted.