Teenager viciously stabbed in racist attack

The boy was left with two stab wounds to his back and one to his arm after the attack in Bulkington Avenue last Thursday. He was treated at Worthing Hospital and was discharged on Saturday.

Police confirmed this week the incident was being treated as racially motivated.

Detective Sergeant Tania Jones said: "This is a vicious and unprovoked attack. We believe the two attackers may be the same men who bumped into the group outside the railway station.

"People could have been coming out of the pubs at that time and may have seen this incident or have noticed the group of students."

Jill Pedersen, spokeswoman for Worthing police, said it happened between 11pm and 11.20pm.

"The victim had earlier been with four other Swiss students and had walked into Bulkington Avenue from Worthing Railway Station," she said.

"Outside the railway station two men had bumped into the group of students. Police believe that the group may then have been followed by the two men as they walked up South Farm Road and Bulkington Avenue. As the group dispersed, the victim was walking alone when he was attacked."

The two men are described as slim and aged 18 to 22-years-old. One had short brown hair, the other short dark hair.

At this stage the police do not know what weapon was used. CCTV footage and forensic evidence is being checked. House to house enquiries in the area have also been made.

Foreign students visiting Worthing have been the victims of attacks before.

On March 19 a Mongolian student was robbed outside Worthing Railway Station and, during the Easter holidays in April, many foreign visitors were attacked.

At the beginning of April a group of German students were subjected to racial abuse while eating at McDonalds in the Montague Centre.

Then, on April 6, a group of four youths demanded money from two German students who were walking in Richmond Road. When the students refused they were punched.

The following day a Chinese student in her 20s was punched and had drink poured over her head in Stoke Abbott Road.

The spate prompted police to relaunch Operation Columbus, a campaign to protect foreign visitors.

In July an unprovoked attack, believed to be by a boxer, took place on two foreign students in South Street, Worthing. One of the students was left with bruises and cuts to his face.

Last year teenager Alahassan Kamara, known as Alaska, had his throat slit while waiting for a train at Worthing Railway Station. The attack on Alaska, who is originally from Sierra Leone, left him needing 18 stitches to his neck.

Last week a 12-year-old boy who threatened to stab a Japanese student as she walked towards Worthing Railway Station had his four-year sentence at a young offenders' institute reduced by Appeal Court judges.

Anyone with information is asked to call Worthing police on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

n Road rage stabbing in Durrington: See page 2