Teenagers who fired an air rifle at a moving train could have caused a disaster, Worthing police said today.

Officers described the incident as "complete madness" urged parents to check on the activities of their children during the school holidays.

Two youths fired from fields next to the track near Goring station, Worthing, when the 8.32pm Littlehampton-Brighton train hurtled past.

Security staff gave chase but the boys, aged about 14, fled towards Ferring. No one was hurt but the train was slightly damaged.

Sergeant Pete Darkin said: "It's very dangerous to fire a rifle at a train. There could have been a major disaster if the driver had been hit.

"These acts of complete madness need to be stopped before someone gets seriously injured or serious damage is caused.

"When we find out who did it they will be arrested and not let off lightly"

Inspector Gary Ancell, of British Transport Police, said: "This type of incident is extremely dangerous to passengers and staff."

On the same day, police in Goring noticed an increase in reports of crime, which Sgt Darkin attributed to the school holidays.

He said: "There was lots of damage to the Goring area that day. Kids were throwing stones in Brendon Road and also on the Esplanade in Worthing.

"Children were continually calling 999 and then putting the phone down and we traced the calls to Mulberry Lane, Goring.

"Do parents know where their children are?

"It's made worse by the light evenings. This time of year there are a lot of children on the streets and it's a big problem."