Two communities plagued by a fruit throwing trouble maker have spoken of their shock as the random attacks continue.

The fruit flinger has thrown tomatoes and other fruit towards at least seven people in Hastings and Eastbourne.

Sussex Police said victims were hit with projectiles including apples launched from a moving vehicle.

Cops confirmed they believe the plant-based assaults are linked and they have not made any arrests.

Residents in Eastbourne were baffled by the random fruit flinging incidents.

With tomatoes still selling at £3.50 per kilogram, greengrocer Mohamed Adblegaid, 39, said they were too expensive to throw away.

A shopkeeper at Terminus Fruit and Veg on Terminus Road, near the scene of three drive-by fruitings, Mohamed said he barely makes a profit.

“It’s crazy,” he said.

“Tomatoes are still really expensive.

“If there’s ever any left at the end of the day, I take them home.

“At that price, I’m not going to throw them away.”

Sussex Police said one woman suffered a fractured cheekbone.

“We are aware of at least seven victims who are men and women aged between 25 and 49,” a spokesman said.

Police said they are making house-to-house enquiries and searching CCTV footage for the drive-by attacker.

Three people were assaulted with tomatoes in Eastbourne.

A person was hit on the arm in Firle Road just before 8pm on April 13.

The following day another person was hit with a tomato as they walked down St Philips Avenue at around 1.15pm.

Minutes later, a person was struck in the face with an unknown object in Ashford Road, also Eastbourne, causing minor injuries.

Later the same day, at around 2.40pm, a person was hit on the head with a tomato near Lidl on Bohemia Road, Hastings.

Another two attacks followed in The Bourne, Hastings.

A person was hit to the head with a tomato and a person was hit in the face with an unknown object, causing serious injuries.

The first incident happened on Wednesday 12 April, when a person walking along Bohemia Road at around 7.30pm was hit in the face with an apple, causing minor injuries.

Investigator Caroline Bendell, of Hastings CID, said: “Most of these attacks have occurred during daytime hours when the victims have been out alone in open and public places.

“In all cases, the victims have been going about their daily routine when they have been hit by items believed to have been thrown or propelled in some way from a vehicle.

“There have been no links established between each of the victims, however it is believed that these incidents are part of a series.

“We are asking any witnesses to come forward and any further victims.”