POLICE believe that a gang of youths were responsible for two vicious Bonfire Night attacks and a robbery in Chiddingfold and have launched an appeal for witnesses. All three incidents took place between 8 pm and 11 pm while the village was packed with families enjoying the popular Chiddingfold bonfire but police only released details this week. The first allegation is of an incident in which a boy aged 17 was stabbed in the mouth. Between 8 pm to 9 pm, the victim was at The Green in Chiddingfold, when members of a group of 10 to 14 youths shouted abuse at him. One of the group punched the boy on the nose and another youth cut him on the upper lip with a knife. The youth with the knife is described as a white male, 5 feet 8 inches tall, of small build with short, dark-brown hair and wearing blue jeans with a blue checked shirt under a dark hoodie. The knife was described as having a two-and-a-half inch blade with a red handle. The second incident reported was a robbery in Petworth Road around 9 pm. The 21-year-old male victim was walking from The Swan Pub when he was approached by a large group of teenagers. They started talking to the victim and one of the youths in the group punched him, followed by five others who punched and kicked him to the ground. The victim suffered cuts to his mouth and several cuts to both knees. While he was being attacked, his overcoat was removed and is still missing. The coat is worth several hundred pounds and is described as a cashmere navy-blue three-quarter length, with velvet collar and navy- blue lining. There is a description of only one of the offenders. He is white, aged around 13 to 18 years, 5 feet 7 inches tall, of large build with blond, shoulder- length hair in a ponytail and wearing a tracksuit. He spoke with a southern accent. The third incident was an assault between 9-30 pm and 10 pm in Mill Lane. The 16-year-old victim was running to meet his friends when a youth tackled him and made him fall into a ditch. The boy was punched in the head and was kneed and kicked several times before managing to break free. He had swelling and bruising to the left side of his head, small cuts on the top of his head and a swollen hand. Later the same evening after the bonfire, the boy was walking home with his friends, when one of the attackers began harassing the group. The boy intervened and was punched by the attacker. He retaliated and, in self-defence, punched his attacker. The three suspects were all white and around 16 to 18 years. One youth was five feet 10 inches tall, of medium build, with short, blond hair, clean shaven, wearing a light polo shirt with blue stripes and carrying a firework stick. The second youth was five feet 10 inches tall, of medium build with short, dark hair and clean shaven. The third youth was described as being similar in size to the other two and with short, dark hair. Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information about these three incidents to make contact with them in confidence. Calls can be made to Dc Russell Cannon on 0845 125 2222. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously and free of charge on 0800 555111.
