18
Charity & Community
Sussex Snippets A total of £462,000 has been awarded to fund 560 taser devices between the Sussex and Surrey police forces. This will mean an extra 291 new tasers for Sussex Police, bringing the total to more than 1,100. Both forces can now achieve their ambition of making Tasers available for any police officer who wants one (estimated to be 80% of the frontline). In other news from the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, more than £500,000 in grants was awarded from the Safe Space Funding Network to 17 local charities. This is to help support victims of child sexual exploitation, domestic and sexual violence, stalking and harassment, along with other forms of trauma and modern slavery. Meanwhile an interesting example of one of Sussex Police’s many modern challenges where, through better use of technology, a positive outcome was achieved. Chief Constable Giles York said: “Over 300 victims had been subject to 3,000 malicious telephone calls from an unknown male, often of an offensive sexual nature. This was difficult to trace as he used different numbers and phoned at different times of the day. One of my analysts had the idea of locating where the call was made from and correlate that with ANPR (number plate recognition) data. "Through this information he was able to identify a man in Burgess Hill who was buying second hand phones and using software to reignite old contact lists. Officers seized over 200 phones from his premises. He has pleaded guilty this month and is due to be sentenced next month.” The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) is developing handy downloadable guides that will include some of the best circular routes across Sussex and Hampshire. The Authority is keen to hear from horse riders about where they like to ride and what their favourite routes are. They need a) start point – ideally with horsebox parking; b) the length of ride; c) a short description of the route and a simple map showing the route. Initially they are keen to hear from riders who use the following areas, but routes in other areas are also welcomed: • Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Hampshire • Harting Down, West Sussex • Heyshott Common, West Sussex • Eartham Woods, West Sussex • Seven Sisters Country Park, East Sussex • East Dean, East Sussex. Email responses to: access@southdowns.gov.uk From the end of last year, West Sussex recycling centres have asked users to show photo ID with proof of residence within West Sussex. The scheme is set out on the WSCC website, where there is also a
recognition that the policy will produce a negative impact on the environment. “The proposal will mean that some non-West Sussex residents will need to travel further to a site in their own area.” However “It is hoped that this may be mitigated by some residents making fewer trips and/or selecting alternative and more sustainable routes for managing their waste such as home composting and use of kerbside collection services.” The section on “sustainability” on the WSCC website states: “We want sustainability to be more central to the way we all work. We believe this approach will help us combat climate change; ensure that all our work benefits society, the economy and the environment in the long-term.” West Sussex County Council have agreed proposals to invest almost £200m in road schemes over the next five years (including £44.2m for the re-alignment of the A29 in Bognor Regis and £19.1m for improvements to the A2300 in Burgess Hill), as well as £45.2m to produce renewable energy and generate income through solar farms and battery energy storage schemes. The £712m five-year ‘capital programme’ also includes an investment of £47.5m for the Fire and Rescue Service, for a proposed new fire training centre and Horsham Fire Station, planned improvements to fire stations, as well as new state of the art equipment and vehicles. Email notices to: info@sussexlocal.net
