Sussex Police has launched a new operation to tackle illegal use of e-bikes and e-scooters.
This following an increase in reported incidents in the county and ongoing community concerns.
In the 12 months to June 2026, Sussex Police received a total of 2,504 reports of e-bikes and e-scooters being ridden illegally. Of these, 25.6 per cent relate to antisocial or dangerous riding, and 51.8 per cent relate to suspected drug activity.
Retailers, local authorities and law enforcement are trying to find way to prevent and seek justice for shoplifting offences as they battle to regain control.
Home Office figure show that nearly 43,000 shoplifting offences were reported across Kent, Sussex and Surrey in the year 2025/26 compared to 2019/20 which saw just over 28,000.
Figures also showed that in the same period 14.9% of neighbourhoods in Crawley were in the top fifth of shoplifting rates across England and Wales.
Plans to tackle the issue include tagging prolific shoplifters, facial recognition vans and Shop watch schemes to help deter thieves.
The closure of a Car park in Oxted is causing “complete chaos” according to a councillor.
Damage to the ceiling caused Oxted station carpark to shut.
Surrey County councillor Cameron McIntosh said the closure of the 366-space site had resulted in a “significant” loss of parking for commuters, rail users and visitors to the town centre.
Morrisons, which leases the carpark from Network Rail, has thanked customers for their patience while the “essential maintenance” is carried out.
Meanwhile Southern Rail says car park season ticket holders can use their existing permits at Caterham, East Grinstead and Lingfield stations.
The East Surrey Shadow Authority Executive has approved Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s plans to create new parish councils.
This decision allows legal preparations for the new and amended parish arrangements to be in place for 1 April 2027, which is also the day that the new East Surrey Council will take over.
Following a consultation that was overseen by a cross-party working group of councillors, the whole of the Reigate & Banstead area will be represented by parish councils, which can also be named town or village councils.
Three new councils will be created – Redhill Town Council, Reigate Town Council, and Banstead and The Villages Council.
Minor changes will be made to Horley Town Council and no changes will be made to Salfords Parish Council.
A West Sussex County councillor has said that persistent antisocial driving on two A-roads in Horsham is “problematic and very unsettling for a lot of people”.
Antisocial driving on the A24, which has Southwater to the west, and the A264 between Horsham and Crawley has caused concern for residents.
Alex Jeffery, who represents Southwater and Nuthurst, believes the police “do not have the resources” to address the issue and that “racers have cottoned on to that”.
Ch Insp James Davidson, from Sussex Police, said the force is aware of the concerns raised and will “pursue prosecutions against drivers they can identify”.