A vape shop owner has told of the moment a boy threatened to stab him before youths stole disposable vapes from his shop.

Kwik Vape is one of many businesses subjected to an onslaught of shoplifting and other crime in Worthing.

Owner Simon Lawrence said three boys came to his shop in Tarring Road when one of them threatened to stab him before they left with his vape products.

Mr Lawrence called the police and let one of the boys steal several vapes as he said he knew they "carry weapons".

The Argus: One of the youths steals several vapes in the shopOne of the youths steals several vapes in the shop (Image: Supplied)

Mr Lawrence said he knows one of the boys, who he said has been in court before, and is hopeful this incident will lead to a banning order from the Tarring Road area.

He said: “They came past hurling abuse and threats, then one of them returned, threatened to stab us if we went near him and then took a load of stock and walked out.

“I just let them, it was all on CCTV, perfectly clear footage and you can see who they are. Knowing that they carry weapons, it was the safest option to let them get on with it.

“They said ‘if you come near me, I will f****** stab you’.

“The conversation outside was ‘get outside of the CCTV and I will smash your face up and shank you’.

The Argus: One of the teens points to the camera and is said to threaten that he will hit Mr Lawrence if he comes out of the view of the cameraOne of the teens points to the camera and is said to threaten that he will hit Mr Lawrence if he comes out of the view of the camera (Image: Supplied)

“It wasn’t a surprise, I knew they would come back once his tag was removed and the supervision was over.

“I want an immediate banning order from the area, I think it should be easy to take to the courts."

Mr Lawrence said he will not let the crime affect his business.

“I’m pretty resigned to it, I’m not going to change my business because of it," he said.

“I hope it moves up to the next level of punishment because obviously the punishment before wasn’t effective.

The Argus: The youths walk past the shop before stopping to allegedly threaten Mr LawrenceThe youths walk past the shop before stopping to allegedly threaten Mr Lawrence (Image: Supplied)

“They stole disposable vape products, the bane of our life at the moment. We’re reducing the stock we hold of disposables.

“They’re atrocious, we’re one of the stores that have recycling schemes for them.”

The Argus previously uncovered the spate of crime being inflicted on businesses in the Worthing area.

Crimes range from shoplifting to arson at a train station waiting room.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:

Sussex Police are investigating the theft, which happened on July 11.

A spokeswoman said: “Police received a report of shoplifting and threats of violence at a business in New Broadway, Tarring Road, Worthing, around 1.50pm on Tuesday 11 July.

“Officers have engaged with the informant and enquiries are ongoing at this time.

“Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 791 of 11/07.”