A teen party in Worthing spiralled out of control, resulting in violence that necessitated hospital treatment for a young man and a large-scale police intervention to disperse the crowd. The incident, which occurred on the evening of February 23, has raised serious concerns about youth gatherings and the role of social media in amplifying such events.
The party, held in Poulters Lane, attracted around 200 teenagers, many of whom learned about the event through social media platforms. The situation quickly became unmanageable, prompting the Sussex Police to step in at approximately 8:30 PM. Officers, armed with megaphones, worked to disperse the large group of party-goers who had taken to the streets, creating a chaotic scene that required additional police resources, including armed officers and dog units, particularly around the West Worthing station.
The night’s events took a more serious turn with the assault of an 18-year-old man in South Street, Tarring, close to the station, around 10:30 PM. The victim’s injuries were severe enough to require hospital treatment, sparking an ongoing investigation by the Sussex Police to identify and apprehend the assailant.
A Sussex Police spokesperson provided a detailed account of the evening’s events, stating, “Police were called to reports of a group of around 100 to 200 people causing anti-social behaviour following a party at an address in Poulters Lane, Worthing at 8.30pm on Friday, February 23. Officers were quickly on scene and a Section 34 Dispersal Order was authorised, giving officers and designated police staff the power to disperse individuals behaving in an anti-social manner.”
The spokesperson further added, “The party was dispersed, and the area was cleared. Following the incident, police received a report of an 18-year-old man who was assaulted at around 10.30pm in South Street, Tarring. As a result of his injuries, he was taken to hospital and enquiries are ongoing to identify the suspect.”
In the aftermath of the party, two individuals were detained at the scene but were later de-arrested and released without charge.
