Police are writing to homes to trace children who have been hurling stones at pensioners and passers-by.

Some elderly people have fallen victim to a string of attacks by youths.

Officers hope the letters will also throw up witnesses living near the scene of the attacks in Church Path, Billingshurst, which have shocked and injured old people.

In one assault, a pensioner was left in pain after two schoolboys threw stones at her as she shopped in nearby Station Road. One large missile hit her body.

It is the fourth time stones have been thrown at her during the last year by the same two boys but this was the first time she was injured.

The following day another elderly woman was hit as she walked in Church Path. The woman was shocked but not hurt.

She too had fallen victim to several other stone-throwing incidents.

Shortly afterwards a 17-year-old girl was hit with stones in Church Path. Four youths, aged about 16, went through her bags and demanded cigarettes but she fought them off.

One was 5ft 3in tall with short brown hair and wore a red and black cap, black baggy trousers, a Nike coat and white Ellesse trainers. Another was 5ft tall and wore a grey jumper with the hood up, white jeans and black trainers.

The third youth wore a black coat with a red stripe, black trousers and trainers. The fourth had a bright red jumper, tan trousers and white trainers.

A police spokesman said: "The letter is to make people in the area aware of what is going on and appeals for witnesses and for information."

PC Ian Barnes is appealing to anyone who knows the boys responsible for the attacks on April 21 and 22 to get in touch on 0845 6070999.