Three arrests after boy hit by car and attacked

A teenage boy has been hit by a car and attacked with weapons, Sussex Police said

Three men have been arrested after a boy was left with potentially life-changing injuries after being hit by a car and then assaulted in West Sussex, police have said.

Sussex Police said the 16-year-old victim was struck by a blue car on Sydney Road in Haywards Heath at around 17:40 BST on Monday before being attacked by two men with weapons.

The unnamed suspects, aged 19, 21, and 23 and from Mid Sussex, have been arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Witnesses, or anyone with relevant dashcam or CCTV footage, are still being asked to come forward.

The force said public response to its appeal had been "tremendous" and they specifically wanted to speak to anyone who saw the vehicle driving away from the railway station area following the incident.

Ch Insp Steve Turner said he understood "the impact this incident has had on the community and concerns about safety".

"We have put extra visible patrols in the area and these will continue," he added.

An extensive search is ongoing and forensic evidence is being gathered at the scene, said the force.