A fight broke out between two women after a residents' meeting demanding action to stop rising crime in East Worthing.

Police are investigating an alleged assault after a woman reported she had been slapped across the face by another woman, whom she said confronted her about the conduct of her children.

Residents at the meeting had earlier told how they were living in fear of gangs of unruly teenagers and drug dealers.

More than 100 people called for tougher law and order in the neighbourhood.

Residents and business leaders met police after setting up an association to voice their fears about rising crime.

People of all ages said they lived in daily fear of the gangs and criminals who gathered in the street.

They said their lives were being made a misery by antisocial behaviour, verbal abuse, drug dealing, under-age drinking and vandalism.

One resident said: "People are living in terror. We know exactly who the culprits are but how do we stop them?"

A teenage girl said she had been shot at in the street with a ball bearing gun. Another resident described finding the remains of drugs in a shed near his house.

The meeting, at St Stephen's Church, was organised by East Worthing and Shoreham's Conservative MP Tim Loughton, who said the problems were escalating.

He told the meeting: "Over the last six months or so a lot of people from this area have written to me with a whole host of problems, a lot of which are to do with antisocial behaviour.

"I know we have got some problems but it seems to have been getting worse."

However, a row broke out between two women about 30 minutes after the meeting when officers were called to Sackville Road, East Worthing.

A police spokesman said: "The incident was reported to us following a residents' meeting. We are investigating an allegation of common assault and will be taking statements today."

Residents called the meeting to demand their neighbourhood was cleared of antisocial youths and drug dealers.

One man said he had had to wait more than seven hours for police to arrive, and when they did it was too late to do anything about the crime.

Community beat officer PC Neil Flockton said he understood people's frustrations and pledged police would prosecute where they had enough evidence.

Residents said the majority of the problems were caused by young people who were bored because the area lacked facilities.

Mr Loughton told residents to get behind the East Worthing Residents' Action Group.

The group can be contacted on 01903 233203.