Nearly one million pounds will be spent on tackling violence against women and girls in Sussex.

Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne secured the funding through the government’s safer streets scheme to face this ongoing societal problem.

Over half of the money will provide Healthy relationship lessons in schools, covering; harassment, toxic masculinity and misogyny.

As well as the ‘Make her feel safe’ campaign aimed at challenging sexism, protecting girls and educating youngsters, the other half of the funding will supply additional lighting and CCTV in parks.

Mrs Bourne said: “The events of the past few weeks have brought the epidemic of male violence against women into sharp focus but we also have to acknowledge that this is a deep-rooted and ongoing societal problem.”

The Healthy Relationships sessions for year 8 students at secondary schools will be focusing on harassment, toxic masculinity and misogyny.

As well as ‘Bystander to upstander’ sessions focusing on supporting attendees to feel more confident in recognising and challenging unacceptable and misogynistic behaviour.

The ‘Make her feel safe’ campaign will address men’s and boys’ behaviour, aiming to challenge the current narrative and help bring about change.

If you have news for Sussex and Surrey, contact us on news@susyradio.com

Network Rail engineers will use a nine-day closure of the Brighton Main Line from the 19th of February next year to deliver an £11m junction renewal near Haywards Heath and build a new underpass at Hassocks.

As a result of the work, the railway between Three Bridges, Brighton and Lewes will close for 9 days from Saturday 19th to Sunday 27th February 2022, with supporting weekend work taking place before and after the main closure. The announcement follows a fortnight’s closure of the line between Hove and Brighton, which was completed on time on Friday last week.

Katie Frost, Sussex route director for Network Rail, said: “I really appreciate the patience of our passengers as I know it feels like we’re constantly working on the railway, but by concentrating work into week or two-week blocks like this, we’re able to get more work done and reduce the number of weekends we’d have to close the railway.”

Chris Fowler, Customer Services Director for Southern, said: “We’ll ensure that alternative transport is in place when lines are closed, and we’ll issue detailed travel advice over the coming months. Journeys will take considerably longer during the nine-day and weekend closures.”

Passengers are also advised of planned maintenance closures between Three Bridges and Brighton/Lewes on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th October, and on Saturday 13th November, which will also impact Brighton Main Line services. Diversions and replacement buses will be in place.

If you have news for Sussex and Surrey, contact us on news@susyradio.com

Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend said Insulate Britain protesters should ‘consider their future’ as new measures to prevent motorway protests could land activists with two years in prison or an unlimited fine.

A fresh court injunction was granted to Highways England this weekend, after new protests by the climate activists blocked sections of the M1, M4 and M25 in the tenth day of actions held in three weeks.

It comes as protesters have today been removed by the Metropolitan Police and partners from London’s Wandsworth Bridge and the Blackwall Tunnel.

Threatening that new offences will be treated as ‘contempt of court’, the injunction means that individuals staging protests on key routes may face prison time for their actions.
In Surrey, four days of protests on the M25 in September led to the arrest of 130 people. The Commissioner praised the swift actions of Surrey Police and has called on the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to join police forces in a firm response.

The new order covers motorways and ‘A’ roads in and around London and enables police forces to submit evidence direct to Highways England in order to assist with the injunction process carried out by the courts.

It acts as a deterrent, by including more routes and further banning protesters who damage or attach themselves to road surfaces.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “The disruption caused by Insulate Britain protesters continues to place road users and police officers in danger. It is pulling the resources of the police and other services away from individuals who need their help. This is not just about people being late to work; it could be the difference between whether police officers or other emergency responders are on the scene to save someone’s life.

“The public deserve to see coordinated action through the Justice System that is proportionate to the seriousness of these offences. I am pleased that this updated order includes providing more support for Surrey Police and other forces to work with Highways England and the courts to ensure that action is taken.

“My message to Insulate Britain protesters is that they should think very, very carefully about the impact that these actions will have on their future, and what a serious penalty or even jail time could mean for themselves and the people in their lives.”

If you have news for Sussex and Surrey, contact us on news@susyradio.com

A sculpture remembering those who have died from Covid-19 is planned in Manor Royal.
If give the go ahead the 3.7m structure will be in Terrace Pocket Park in Manor Royal depicting birds emerging from light and swirling around the sun.

Made by a local blacksmith it is hoped it will stand as a memorial and symbol of optimism.

If you have news for Sussex and Surrey, contact us on news@susyradio.com