Boy, 17, charged after e-bike incident

Two boys, both aged 17, were arrested after the incident on Boxing Day

A boy has been charged after an incident involving e-bikes in West Sussex.

Members of the public detained a 17-year-old boy as he rode an e-bike in East Street, a pedestrianised area in Chichester, at about 13:00 GMT on Boxing Day.

He was then arrested by police officers but has been released on bail. A second boy, also 17, fled the scene and was later arrested. He has now been charged with a series of offences.

Sussex Police seized two e-bikes and "a number of bladed articles" in connection with the incident.

The first boy was arrested on suspicion of affray, shoplifting, resisting arrest, assault by beating and causing harassment, alarm or distress, as well as a number of driving offences.

He has been released on conditional bail until 23 March.

The second boy is charged with possession of a bladed article in public, affray and a number of driving offences.

He appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court on 8 January and was released on conditional bail. He is set to appear before magistrates again on 16 January.

Neither of the boys can be identified for legal reasons.

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: "We'd like to thank the numerous members of public who assisted at the scene, and those who have provided witness statements.

"We'd also like to reassure the community that we take reports of this nature extremely seriously, and we would encourage anyone who witnesses any similar incidents to contact us."