All posts by ianr

Christmas bin collections

Reigate and Banstead Council have confirmed that the household rubbish collections will continue as normal over the festive bank holidays, on Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th December. As well as Monday 3rd January.

Garden waste will take a usual two-week break over the Christmas period from 27th December, until Monday 10th January.

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

Two people injured in Gatwick Airport incident

Two people were injured in a late-night incident at Gatwick Airport.

Two men and a woman were involved in the altercation, which took place as passengers flying in on an Easyjet flight from Egypt arrived at the airport shortly before midnight on 17 November.

Two people reported being injured and Sussex Police officers have asked anyone with information to contact them.

The flight in question was the EZY8286 from Sharm El Sheikh. Contact police on 101 with information.

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

Sussex Police launches survey on crime against women and girls

Female victims of crime in Sussex are being asked to come forward anonymously as part of a global campaign against gender-based violence.

Police officers want to hear about the experience of women and girls who are victims of harassment, sexual and violent crime as part of an effort to engage with communities and improve detection and prevention of such crimes.

The six-week survey launched yesterday as part of a 16-day worldwide effort to tackle the issue.

Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Rayland, Head of the force’s Public Protection Command, said: “We have chosen this important day to reach out and seek the experiences of everyone, particularly women and girls, to help us do better to prevent and detect such crimes and keep everyone safe.

“We know that crimes including harassment and sexual offences are under-reported and this anonymous survey will provide an up-to-date snapshot that improves our understanding of why, and how best, the police and other agencies in Sussex can provide support, keep people safe and target perpetrators

“We already have comprehensive plans in place to tackle violence against women and girls in Sussex and we enjoy really strong partnerships with local authorities, victim services, and charities, working together to seek to address the root causes of gender inequality.
“But it is clear that in the police service we must do more, and must consider doing some things differently. This survey will give us a valuable steer on experiences that people have had and how we can adapt our work to respond more effectively.

“It is part of a wider programme of targeted engagement to ensure we hear views from a cross-section of the community across Sussex. This too will feed into our operational response.”

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Gatwick Airport seeks local business support for 2nd runway

Gatwick Airport is looking to engage local businesses with its plans to create a second runway.

The airport is currently consulting on plans to bring its Northern Runway into regular operation alongside its Main Runway to increase capacity.

Should the plans go ahead, airport bosses say they want to boost local businesses by focussing its procurement and supply chain on local organisations.

The airport says the new runway could create 18,400 jobs. The consultation closes on 1 December.

Richard Lennard, Economic Partnerships Manager, Gatwick Airport said: “Gatwick has been a major driver for the local and regional economy for several decades, as well as supporting the wider UK economy. We plan to maximise the benefits we provide for local people, communities and businesses through the development of a range of supply chain initiatives that aim to ensure the airport’s procurement and supply chain spending targets businesses based in the region.”

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

14% of children in Sussex don’t feel safe

The voice of hundreds of children and young people across Sussex is shaping innovative new tactics to tackle knife crime.

Research exclusively commissioned by Sussex Police and carried out by The Campaign Company showed that 14 per cent of the 11–18 years olds spoken to did not feel safe in their local area, with seven per cent feeling pressurised to carry a knife.

Some children said they were worried about reporting knife crime for fear of being labelled a “snake”.

The report, which heard from around 1,000 secondary school children, has led to police working with schools and partners on different ways to engage with young people and raise awareness of the consequences of knife crime.

One of the new approaches being trialled is an educational card game called A Game of Knife or Life. The game looks to stimulate conversation around the implications and repercussions of carrying a blade, while also signposting young people to available support services.

The force has also been using social media as a way of continuing the conversation around knife crime and reaching young people via channels and advocates they trust.

A social media campaign launched at the end of 2020 used images and animations without police branding to promote key messages among young people who don’t subscribe to police channels or who are less likely to look at content coming from a police force.

Police have also continued to work closely with partners who were ambassadors for the campaign, sharing content on their social media channels to reach a wider and younger audience.

The knife-crime campaign won a national award for innovation earlier this year, and Sussex Police is already seeing positive results with knife crime down 20 per cent in the last year to October 2021.

Chief Inspector Simon Yates, the force’s lead for knife crime and serious violence, said: “A key focus in reducing knife crime and serious violence is via our engagement with young people, with the aim to influence behaviour change and to encourage young people to live knife free.

“By looking at the underlying reasons why a young person might carry a knife, we are better placed to understand the issue and tackle it at its root rather than once it’s already embedded or escalated.

“The research will be used to shape and inform our response to knife crime. An evidence-led approach will be more effective in preventing knife-related crime and violence, helping to keep our communities safe.”

A Game of Knife or Life was designed in collaboration with neighbourhood youth officers using funding from the Home Office to educate young people on the consequences of knife crime.

Aimed at 11-16 years olds, the game is an educational resource that looks to stimulate conversation around the implications and repercussions of carrying a blade. It aims to deliver this information and advice in a fun, creative and innovative way but without detracting from the seriousness of the message. It will be used in schools, youth clubs, at events and by neighbourhood youth officers across the county.

The game includes an instruction manual and two decks of playing cards – scenario cards and outcome cards. To play the game, a game master reads out the scenario card to the group. This will then create a conversation in response to the scenario, encouraging the group to think and debate on the possible consequences for each situation.

Example scenario: You carry a small knife when out with friends to give you some reassurance if you end up in some sort of trouble. “It’s only a small knife, it won’t kill anyone.” What are the consequences of carrying even a small knife?

Example outcome: Get a criminal record. This can result in up to four years in prison; restrict travel abroad to places such as the USA and Australia; impact on your job opportunities following background checks; make it harder for you to achieve your goals and ambitions.

The game also includes support cards for those who may benefit from discreet signposting to other services available to offer help and advice. The support cards have contact details for Fearless, where knife crime can be reported anonymously, and Childline.

The research study and card game are tools that will enhance the work already being done by Sussex Police under Operation Safety – the force’s overall response to knife crime and serious violence.

Neighbourhood youth officers will continue to deliver lessons and educational talks in schools alongside a short film which depicts real life stories of people affected by knife crime.

Officers also use the Op Safety engagement van in hotspot locations across the county such as public parks and shopping centres. This creates an opportunity for engagement with the public, to inform and educate about knife crime. It will also signpost to support services, including for parents who may be worried about their children engaging in crime.

Ch Insp Yates added: “Getting caught with a knife can change a person’s life. We’re committed to highlighting the impact these dangerous weapons can have, giving young people the information and support they need to make changes and be more empowered in the decisions they make.

“Knife crime is a complex issue and it’s not one that can be solved by police alone. To create real long-lasting change, it’s essential that we continue to work closely with our partners, young people and their families on awareness and education.”

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne endorsed Sussex Police’s knife crime campaign and said: “It’s essential that we understand what drives young people to carry knives so that we can design and target the most effective messages and advice to help them come to the right conclusion – that carrying a knife makes you more vulnerable to violence and can scar your future forever.

“Sussex Police’s challenging yet educational card game approach was created in conjunction with young people who gave unique insights into their fears and the peer pressure that can lead to people carrying a blade. I was delighted when the Game of Knife or Life campaign won national recognition in the CIPR awards this year.

“My message has always been short and clear: Lose the knife, not a life.”

In the year end to March 2021, officers have engaged with approximately 14,810 young people. Police also continue to work with partners to reach out to young people and signpost them to other services where advice and support is available. This includes Fearless.org where young people can receive and report information around knife crime anonymously.

Members of the public are also encouraged to report information to police either online or by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency. Information can be reported anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Childline on 0800 1111.

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