Regimental colours from the First World War which honour the East Surrey Regiment have been found.

Following a tip-off by a member of the public, officers were able to locate the colours which were being sold on an online auction.

East Surrey regiment saw active service during the battle of the Somme, were part of the Kitchener’s Army and was the army formed by volunteers who came forward to fight for king and country.
Their colours have been presented to a museum.

People in Crawley are being reminded to remain vigilant after two attempts were made to snatch handbags from women.

In the first incident a man attempted to steal the handbag from a 30 year-old woman at approximately 3 o’clock Saturday morning. She was walking home along Colonsay Road in Broadfield when the offender pushed her to the ground. He failed to take the bag and ran off.

The suspect is described as black, of medium build with black facial hair and wearing dark clothing.

Shortly before 10 o’clock that same evening a 43 year-old woman was targeted on the Dousters Brook footpath in Bewbush.

The offender approached her from behind and attempted to to take her handbag. When the victim resisted, she was punched in the face. The victim fell to the floor and offender failed to take the bag, running off.

The suspect has been described as a black man, tall and thin, aged in his late 20’s and wearing dark clothing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

A farmer from Redhill is facing three months in jail.

66 year-old Robert Fidler built a four-bedroom mock-Tudor castle on Green Belt land in Salfords without planning permission. He had kept it hidden behind bales of hay for four years.

After failing to comply with the outstanding enforcement notices and Injunction Order, Fidler was handed a three-month suspended prison sentence yesterday. He has until 6th June 2016 to demolish his house.

Operation Magpie, the Sussex Police autumn crime prevention burglary campaign is well underway. In the past few weeks, activities and events have taken place across the county to highlight crime prevention advice around burglary.

In Crawley, the event was held in the town centre where a group of police cadets joined officers, PCSOs and Neighbourhood Watch volunteers to speak to members of the public.

They offered crime prevention advice, and discussed other matters of concern.

Some passers-by were surprised to see a “burglar” being collared by a PC in broad daylight.

This was actually some good acting by a cadet in “unusual” plain clothes.

A woman was given a conditional discharge after pleading guilty to benefit fraud at Crawley magistrates’ court on Tuesday the 27th of October.

Sharon Adams pleaded guilty of failing to inform the council of her change in circumstances which led to an overpayment of benefits totalling more than seven and a half thousand pounds.

Both her and her partner had increased hours of employment and while she had informed the Benefits team, she had failed to tell the council.

Mrs Adams was given a 2 year conditional discharge and total costs of £235.