Surrey Heath council agreed to take part in the Afghan Locally Employed Staff (LES) Relocation Scheme last month, via an urgent action which was subsequently taken to the SHBC Executive meeting on 20 July 2021.

The UK government scheme protects the human rights of Afghan Locally Employed Staff who have supported the British Forces deployed in Afghanistan. They now risk persecution and death as British Forces withdraw from the country.

As part of the scheme, five Afghan families will be relocated to Surrey Heath. Two families have arrived, the next families will arrive shortly.

Working with Accent Housing, temporary accommodation has been organised for the families.

People who are relocated under the scheme are supported for a set period by a local authority, to help with settling into their new homes and lives. This includes advice and assistance covering employment, welfare benefits, housing, health, and education.

After completing five years of limited leave, they can apply for permanent residence in the UK, free of charge, ensuring that they can settle here permanently and continue to build their lives and future here.

Surrey Heath Portfolio Holder for Support and Safeguarding, Cllr Shaun Garrett, said:
“Locally Employed Staff have been supporting the British Forces in Afghanistan in a variety of roles since 2013. They have served our country well, often working in challenging and dangerous conditions for both them and their families. Our area has a proud military heritage, and we are pleased to be able to offer support to these families who have played an important part in assisting our troops.

We’d like to thank local individuals and organisations, including the Besom and Home from Home, for their generous donations of items to furnish the families’ accommodation and help get their new lives in the UK off to a positive start.”

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A man has been jailed after an assault in Horley where another man was stabbed.

21-year-old Kamil Wegner, from Crawley, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm following an attack in the car park between Horley’s Waitrose and Jack Fairman pub.

A fight broke out at about 1.45am on February 23 between Wegner and the victim’s girlfriend, which led to a confrontation between the pair. Wegner stabbed the victim with a pocket knife and fled the scene, leaving the victim needing surgery.
A second man pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.

Wil O’Sullivan, of Langshott, Horley, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice after admitting to disposing of the knife Wegner had used in the assault. He later showed police where he had dumped it. He was sentenced to 22 weeks’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete 100 hours of community work and to pay £600 court costs.

Temporary Detective Sergeant Nola Petherbridge said: “This was a really nasty assault which had escalated between an altercation between Wegner and the victim’s girlfriend. It was just fortunate that the victim was not left with more serious injuries.

“This case demonstrates that we will not tolerate any level of violent behaviour in our local communities and will always seek to bring those committing such offences to justice.”

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Six children and an adult were injured after a car crashed in a school car park on Monday.

Children were leaving a holiday camp at Ardingly College at about 4.30pm on Monday when the Tesla car crashed.
Three people were taken from the scene with potentially serious injuries, one patient in critical condition was airlifted to St George’s Hospital.

In a statement, Head of College Ben Figgis said none of the injuries were life-threatening.
He said: “This afternoon at the holiday camp pick-up there was an accident in which six children and a parent were injured by a car on the North Quad. The injured children were treated by emergency responders, and have been taken to hospital for further checks and care. Paramedics at the scene reported that none of the injuries are life-threatening, and of course we are staying in touch with the relevant families. This was a serious incident that caused considerable shock to the children, parents and staff involved, and we are keeping in mind particularly this evening the children who were injured and their families.”

South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed that five children and one adult were taken to hospital.

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West Sussex Fire & Rescue will host its virtual open day on Friday.

Events will be held on the service’s Facebook page, with demonstrations from stations around the county.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mark Andrews said: “I know our crews are really looking forward to the return of our Virtual Open Day this year, as it provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase some of the important work we carry out every day of the year. We can’t wait to share our day with you and hope you are all able to join us and get involved on the day.”

The event will take place on the West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service facebook page between 11am and 12pm on Friday 20 August.

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