The attack in Eastbourne sparked a new police warning today over the dangers faced by language school pupils.

The boy was with a friend when he was attacked by two women and a man at 11.30pm in Larkspur Drive.

He was robbed of his designer Helly Hansen jacket, which was ripped from him.

Police urged language schools to be vigilant against the risk to students late at night.

The force recently launched Operation Columbus, aimed at highlighting the dangers.

Insp Elizabeth Harding said: "Eastbourne is a safe place but there are people who will take advantage of students because they are so vulnerable.

"This incident highlights the potential dangers."

John Cronin, principal of ABC Language School in Furness Road, Eastbourne, said: "Students are targeted because they are known to have money on them and if they wander off alone or in small groups they are in potential danger.

"We have a very good relationship with the town's discos. Our leaders make sure students are put in a taxi home, or walked to the taxi rank at the station."

Police today described the women in last night's robbery as 19 or 20. One had long blonde hair and wore a white top. The other had long dark hair. They had a black and white dog with them.

The man was the same age and wore a baseball cap.

Police are investigating a robbery on Wednesday when a man held a knife to another man's throat in an alleyway between St Aubyns Road and Cambridge Road, Eastbourne, and escaped with £90.

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