High visibility hotspot policing patrols in the last year have slashed crime in targeted areas across Sussex.

The Safer Streets Summer campaign saw a near 9% cut in all crime compared to the same period last year.

The Winter of Action campaign led a near 18% reduction in retail crime and near 33% reduction in knife crime.

Chief Inspector Jim Loader said: “Hotspot policing has been successful in reducing crime in targeted areas in Sussex, as it has across the country.

“Providing a regular visible presence and engaging with the community to gather intelligence in locations where we see more crime, has helped reduce and prevent further crime.”

During the year officers completed more than 10,000 hours of additional patrols. They arrested more than 480 people and took 92 knives off the streets during targeted patrols in six towns and 18 specific hotspots to help protect the community from serious violence and antisocial behaviour.

The additional high visibility patrols have led to arrests for assault, robbery, drug supply with a significant number of drugs being taken off the streets. Other arrests include criminal damage and shoplifting, which led one prolific shoplifter becoming the first Sussex offender to be fitted with a GPS buddy tag for shoplifting.

Barry Farthing, of Hughenden Road, Hastings, was reported and swiftly arrested on his way home from the Co-Op with 11 further Co-Op thefts. He had failed to appear at court five days before where he was to be sentenced in relation to 44 further shop thefts. Appearing before Brighton Magistrates Court and pleading guilty to 12 additional shoplifting offences, he was jailed for eight months and issued a criminal behaviour order, which involved fitting a GPS tag.

Just two Brighton officers on hotspot patrols have put drug dealers before the court and behind bars for a total of 55 years so far and taken a significant number of drugs off the city’s streets.

Chief Inspector Loader said: “Going forward Sussex Police has received funding to focus on knife crime hyperlocal hotspots.

“We welcome this to help us target the root cause of knife crime with interventions that work towards the national target of halving knife crime.

“Outside of these hyperlocal hotspots we will continue high visibility hotspot patrolling to benefit areas where needed.

“Our priority is to reduce violence and knife crime and make our communities safe and feel safe.”

A public consultation has been launched into a housing development north west Southwater.

Plans submitted to Horsham District Council, could see up to 1000 homes being built near the village.

Developer, Berkeley Group said 35% of the homes would be categorised as affordable housing and there would also be a new nursery, primary and secondary schools, along with about 59 hectares of green open space.

Then consultation end on then 23 April.

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Four pupil from The Beacon School in Banstead, have been chosen to be ball boys and girls at this years Wimbledon.

Oscar, Caitlin, Adam and Oliver, will be among about 250 pupils from years nine and ten at the tennis tournament.

PE teacher Nathan Sasson picked the four to attend official try outs in February, after which they were selected.

Head teacher, James Grant Duff said the pupils had been rewarded for their hard work in recent months.

A planning application for up to 126 new homes near Gatwick Airport has been approved by Mole Valley District Council, despite concerns over potential repeated flooding in the area.

The scheme in Hookwood was approved following a heated debate, after those in favour and against deliberated the pro’s and con’s of the new homes.

However, the final approval is not set in place until a legal agreement is signed to secure affordable housing and community benefits, which is expected to take place later this year.