Repair and restoration work to Ancient Priors in the High Street will begin next month as part of Crawley Borough Council’s ongoing commitment to protecting and investing in the town’s historic centre.

The project is scheduled to commence on 13 April and is expected to take around five months to complete. The timing reflects the need to use specialist heritage materials, including lime mortar, which require suitable spring weather conditions.

During the works, key historic features of the Grade Two listed building will be carefully repaired and restored. This includes the medieval oak timbers, Horsham stone roof and traditional lath and plaster walls, all of which will be repaired and redecorated using appropriate conservation techniques.

Ancient Priors dates back to the 15th century and is one of Crawley’s most historically significant buildings. Once complete, the works will ensure the long-term preservation of the property while maintaining its prominent position on the High Street.

The restoration and conservation project will cost approximately £260,000 and forms part of the council’s wider programme of investment in Crawley’s historic High Street, supporting its character, heritage and long-term vitality.

Ancient Priors is one of the most important historic buildings in the High Street and a key part of our town’s heritage. This investment demonstrates our continued commitment to protecting the High Street, preserving its character and ensuring that important, historic buildings are maintained for future generations. By caring for landmarks like this, we are supporting a High Street that remains distinctive, welcoming and rooted in Crawley’s history.  I know that Ancient Priors is a much-loved landmark for many of our longer standing residents who will be pleased to know its future is being protected for future generations.

Councillor Michael Jones

Leader

Crawley Borough Council

Gatwick Airport taxi drivers are calling on the government to enforce tougher rules for all private hire drivers and vehicles to help keep women and children safe.

They want a national standard for driver vetting, company conduct, safeguarding and vehicle safety, as well as an end to drivers operating freely outside their licensed area.

Michael Jones, the leader of Crawley Borough Council, which covers Gatwick, has brought a motion calling on the government to end a “postcode lottery” of licensing requirements.

The Department for Transport said it was consulting with local authorities.

The former Conservative MP and justice minister Crispin Blunt has pleaded guilty to possessing illegal drugs.

He admitted to four drugs charges at Westminster Magistrates court yesterday.

The 65-year-old who represented Reigate between 1997 and 2024, was under investigation on suspicion of rape when officers discovered the drugs in his Horley home in 2023.

He was ordered to pay a fine of £1,200.

A Sussex Police officer has been charged with sex offences against two children.

51-year-old, Iain Macnab, a Detective Inspector based in West Sussex, has been charged with sexual assault, sexual activity with a child and perverting the course of justice.

The sexual allegations relate to his off-duty role as a football coach between October 2024 and February 2025.

He was on duty at the time of the allegation of perverting the course of justice.

He was due to appear at Guildford Magistrates Court this Tuesday.

Surrey residents are invited to have their say on crime and policing where they live as the Policing Your Community roadshow returns in May.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend and Chief Constable Tim De Meyer will be joined by local Borough Commanders at a series of 11 in-person events held around the county.

The first meeting takes place in Ash on Tuesday, May 19.

An online meeting will also be held in July for those unable to attend their nearest event.

Policing Your Community gives residents the opportunity to learn more about how police tackle crime in Surrey.

Each of the events will take place between 6pm and 7.30pm. All are free to attend, but those who wish to join are asked to register their attendance by selecting the link for their local event below:

May 19 – Ash Manor School, Manor Road, Ash, Guildford

May 26 – Leatherhead Community Association, High Street, Leatherhead

June 3 – St Clement’s Catholic Primary School, Fennells Road, Epsom

June 9 – Hazelwood Centre, Hazelwood Drive, Shepperton

June 16 – Pyrford Village War Memorial Hall, Coldharbour Road, Woking

June 23 – St Anne’s Catholic Primary School, Free Prae Road, Chertsey

June 30 – Hazelwood School and Nursery, Wolf’s Hill, Oxted

July 7 – Carrington School, Noke Drive, Redhill

July 9 – Briars Centre, Briar Avenue, Lightwater

July 14 – Weybridge Library, Church Street, Weybridge

July 21 – online event (livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube)

July 29 – Wilfrid Noyce Community Centre, Crown Court Carpark, Godalming

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I’m delighted to announce the return of the Policing Your Community roadshow.

“These events offer residents the opportunity to learn more about how our hard-working police teams tackle crime where they live.

“Hundreds of people have already joined us at these meetings to have their say on the issues that concern them most, with anti-social behaviour, police visibility, 101 and 999 call answering times and road safety among the most frequent topics raised.

“Listening to what residents have to say on crime and policing is at the heart of my role.

“Surrey Police is one of the country’s fastest-improving forces. Reports of crimes including shoplifting, burglary and tool theft are dropping, and the Force is now the second-fastest at answering 999 calls, with an average wait time of just two seconds.

“But we want to keep improving the service residents receive, and we want to hear what matters most to you.”

Chief Constable Tim De Meyer said: “The Policing Your Community Events are invaluable opportunities for me to explain all that Surrey Police is trying to do to fight crime and protect people in our county.

Just as important, they give local people the chance to bring directly to my attention the things that are concerning them most about crime and policing and to hold me to account for acting on these concerns.

Previous events have alerted me to many problems that we needed to address and enabled Surrey Police to improve our service to residents and businesses.

I look forward very much to meeting and engaging with people in the months ahead.”

For more information, or to sign up to an event, visit surrey.police.uk/police-forces/surrey-police/areas/au/about-us/in-the-community/