Crawley Borough Council’s Cabinet has agreed an updated Employment and Skills Programme running up to 2030, which will focus on helping more residents access higher-level qualifications and quality jobs, and supporting young people into work and learning.

The programme aims to assist local businesses, particularly in high-value and green sectors, with recruitment, and champion fair pay by promoting Crawley as a Living Wage Town. It also aims to significantly improve social mobility and career opportunities for local residents, while supporting businesses to recruit and retain employees.

The programme will introduce business support for young entrepreneurs and youth-led enterprises, develop a green skills curriculum in partnership with Crawley College, and create a Crawley Employer Board to align skills with local business needs. It will also strengthen collaboration with London Gatwick to ensure residents benefit from new job opportunities, expand access to higher-level education and degree-level study, and increase university-level provision in the borough.

This will build on existing work by the council that has already supported over 1,000 residents into employment through its Employ Crawley service.

Employ Crawley offers a one-to-one employment support service, giving advice, guidance and local knowledge support as well as signposting to specialist organisations, for those who are facing barriers into work. This free service is open to all Crawley residents over 19 and aims to make navigating the world of work simpler. Together with a dedicated support officer, residents can create a plan which is unique to them.

Earlier this year, Employ Crawley formed a partnership with FreeShop Crawley at the new Learning Lab based in Bewbush Community Centre, supported by UK Shared Prosperity Funding. Its role is to provide skills and employment services to Bewbush residents including digital training clinics and wellbeing workshops.

Two STEM Skills Centres have opened in the borough at Crawley College and London Gatwick, offering training in science, engineering, technology and maths. The Sussex and Surrey Institute of Technology has opened at Crawley College and will be delivering advanced technical training in areas such as engineering, robotics, and Artificial Intelligence. The inspirational Dare to Dream programme has engaged more than 5,000 students across all secondary schools in Crawley.

We are extremely proud of what we’ve achieved so far through the Employment and Skills Programme.  We are ambitious for Crawley and our residents, and serious about supporting them in their aspirations to achieve their full potential.  This new edition will create powerful skills pathways, enabling access to high-value jobs and supporting local businesses. Together with our partners, we aim to secure further funding and make Crawley a hub for opportunity and innovation.

Councillor Atif Nawaz

Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Planning

Crawley Borough Council

Surrey police are appealing for witnesses following a serious collision in Box Hill last night.

Officers were called to Boxhill Road, Box Hill shortly after 8pm on Sunday, 14 December following reports of a serious collision involving the driver of a car and a pedestrian.

The pedestrian, a man in his 50s, sadly died at the scene.

A 17-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

We are asking anyone who may have witnessed this collision to get in touch.

We are also seeking CCTV, dashcam, or helmet cam footage that may have captured all or part of this incident.

If you have any information that might assist our investigation, please contact us quoting PR/45250150564 via:

• Our 24/7 live chat service available on this website (surrey.police.uk)
• Use our online form to provide an updateto this incident or select from our other contact us
• Call us on our non-emergency number, 101

If you would rather not speak to police or to prefer to give information anonymously, you can contact Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or completing their online form at crimestoppers-uk.org

This festive season Sussex police are offering prevention advice to help protect people across Sussex against burglary.

While we recommend taking steps to help prevent these types of offences throughout the year, extra precautions can help to keep homes more secure throughout the Christmas season.

Detective Chief Inspector Alison Hutchings said: “During this time of year homes can be more at risk of burglary.

“We encourage the public to be extra security conscious during their preparations for the Christmas period.”

The burglary prevention ‘battle plan’ inspired by the ‘Home Alone’ film provides tips for securing the home against burglary in the lead up to Christmas.

This includes:

• Securing all windows and doors.
• Keeping presents away from windows where they can be seen by people passing by.
• Disposing of packaging carefully. Empty boxes and bins full of packaging are a perfect advert for burglars.
• Don’t leave keys, money or valuables on windowsills or near the front door.
• Keeping presents and valuables secure; don’t store them in your car, shed or garage.
• Making use of free and secure registration websites such as Immobiliseto register items of value such as computers and laptops.
• Testing burglar alarms to ensure it’s working correctly.
• Not posting locations if you are away from home to prevent alerting potential burglars of an empty house.
• Making your home look occupied by using timer switches on your lights and radios. If you don’t have them, ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your home and draw your curtains if you are away.
• Join your local Neighbourhood Watch.

Detective Chief Inspector Hutchings continued: “We understand the traumatic impact burglary has on victims emotionally as well as the financial loss.

“Sussex Police carries out a significant amount of engagement work with communities to prevent crime and bring perpetrators to justice.

“We are committed to attending every residential burglary in-person, to afford us the best possible opportunity to gather evidence and reach a successful outcome for victims.

“We encourage victims to continue to report crime and any suspicious behaviour, and we will investigate all reports thoroughly. Always call 999 in an emergency.”

Find more advice: protecting your home from crime here: Protecting your home from crime | Crime prevention | Sussex Police.

Sussex Police are appealing for witnesses in relation to the driver of a vehicle assault another on November 25 at traffic lights in Crawley Avenue, Gossip Green.

It’s reported that at around 2.15pm, the driver of a grey Audi Q3 cut in front of the victim and exited his vehicle.

He walked to the victims vehicle and went on to assault him through the window, causing facial injuries.

It is believed that multiple members of the public may have witnessed the incident, and we ask that if you saw what happened, or if you have any information, you make a report to police.

Reports can be made online, or by calling 101 quoting reference 746 of 25/11.

From 10am on Monday 5 January 2026, residents with low incomes can apply online for a small grant from the Tandridge Winter Support Scheme.

The £150,000 grant is funded entirely from Tandridge District Council’s own resources to support residents who live in the Tandridge district with the cost of living. Only people living in the district are eligible to apply.

Residents can apply online or call 01883 722000. Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis and the scheme will close once all funds have been allocated.

Grants are available to households even if they have received other grants this winter, for example from the government’s Household Support Fund.

Successful applicants to the Tandridge Winter Support Scheme will receive a one-off payment either at the end of January 2026 or at the end of February 2026. Successful applicants will receive an e-mail letting them know when they will receive payment.

• Eligible households without children will receive £125.
• Eligible households with children aged 18 or under will receive £225.

To apply, residents aged 16 or over must upload three full bank statements (from September to November 2025) showing all transactions. If any information is missing or covered up, the application will be rejected. Those applying by phone will need to bring their documents to the Council Offices in Oxted.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Catherine Sayer, said: “Our grant scheme provides vital support to residents most in need this winter. Eligible residents should not delay in applying.”