Teenagers brought a town centre to a standstill when they staged a rooftop siege armed with a ball-bearing gun.
A passer-by dialled 999 after spotting a group of youths brandishing the BB gun on the roof of a house in Broadwater Road, Worthing.
The street was cordoned off for more than two hours last night as armed police surrounded the building from 9.30pm.
Robert Nixon, manager of Pet Emporium on Broadwater Road, Worthing, said: "My wife and I live above the shop near the Broadwater Pub. We heard a scuffle and shouting outside the pub at about 9.30pm.
"I looked out of the front window and saw some youths running towards the pub. The next thing I knew, police and dog handlers had surrounded the area.
"There must have been something going on because there were so many police."
No shots were fired but the gun was seized by police who gave the youths a stern warning. The road was reopened by 11pm.
A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "No arrests were made but strong advice was given."
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