West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service hosted a Spanish rescue team this week as part of an EU funded exchange of experts.

Four Catalan firefighters have been working with the Sussex service’s Technical Rescue Unit to learn about their specialist skills.  Their visit has included rope rescue training at the TRU’s base in Horley, a confined space exercise at Crawley, and rescues from rubble piles to simulate working around collapsed buildings.  The Technical Rescue Unit provides 24 hour emergency cover across the county where specialist rescue skills are required.  The team also attends national and international incidents where needed.

West Sussex firefighters have visited Spain as part of the exchange, spending four days training in remote mountainous terrain.

Surrey Police is investigating reports of a suspicious incident near Warlingham School on Wednesday.

A young girl was outside the School in Tithepit Shaw Lane just before 4 o’clock when a man walked past her and asked for her name. It was alleged that he was brandishing a knife.  The girl ran off and the man left the scene. The man is described as black, in his late 20s to early 30s, 6 feet tall, and of medium build with very short hair.  He was wearing jeans and a dark blue hoody, and was carrying a dark green bag.  

Police would like to speak to a couple who were walking their dog through Whyteleafe recreation ground between 3.15 pm and 3.45 pm on Wednesday. They may have seen some of the incident.  

Anyone with information should call Surrey Police on 101 quoting incident reference 45160087869 or you can use the online reporting system found at report.police.uk and enter the reference number in the ‘additional information’ section.

The Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead has appointed a new Chief Executive.  

Steve Jenkin was previously the Chief Executive of Peninsula Community Health, providing services across Cornwall.  He also has chief executive experience at Elizabeth Fitzroy Support, a national charity supporting people with learning disabilities.  

Steve Jenkin will replace Richard Tyler who is leaving to take up the post of chief executive at Horder Healthcare.

Peter Andre and his wife Emily MacDonagh are adding their voices to support an NHS campaign promoting the flu jab for pregnant women.

The couple, who live near Gatwick, are expecting their second child.

Emily is a junior doctor and has herself recently had the flu jab, which is free on the NHS to pregnant women. She and Peter agree having it is a really good idea.

Last year over 50% of pregnant women did not have the jab.