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Crawley Town lost 4-3 against Salfords at the Broadfield Stadium on Saturday. The Reds are in 19th place in the League 2 table.
In the National League South, Horsham FC extend their unbeaten run to 15 games with a 1-1 draw at home to Weston-Super-Mare. Dorking Wanderers lost 2-1 away to Chesham United.
In the South East Counties Women’s Football League, South Park Reigate Women drew 2-2 away to Milford and Witley yesterday, taking them to 5th place in the Surrey Division 1 table.
Sussex Police and partners are stepping up activity throughout December and January as part of the national Safer Streets Winter of Action initiative.
Building on the success of the Safer Streets Summer programme, this winter campaign targets town centre criminality, shop theft, street crime, and anti-social behaviour.
It also addresses issues in the night-time economy, with a particular focus on tackling violence against women, alcohol-related disorder, and spiking.
Local communities will see more police patrols, officers collaborating closely with shops, venues, and local organisations, and swift action to address the concerns that matter most to residents.
This winter, hotspot policing patrols continue and will focus on busy shopping days, festive events, and areas where vulnerable people may need support.
These dedicated patrols include those by Night Safety Marshals in Brighton, Eastbourne, Worthing and Crawley, who engage with vulnerable people and intervene to safeguard people.
Working closely with the Office of the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, councils, retailers, Night Safety Marshals, Business Crime Reduction Partnerships, health services and community groups, officers will focus on early intervention, visible enforcement and problem-solving approaches tailored to each town centre.
There will also be diversionary activities for young people to help drive down crime and make areas safer.
The initiative forms part of a national effort supported by hotspot policing funding and long-term plans to strengthen neighbourhood policing.
The approach has already brought tangible successes this year, with over 6,800 additional hours of patrols between April and June leading to 75 arrests and engagement with 12,885 members of the public.
Hotspot policing generally has been proven to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour across Sussex over the previous two years.
Chief Superintendent Katy Woolford said: “Sussex Police is committed to keeping town centres safe all year round. Winter brings its own challenges, including increased footfall in shopping areas and a busier nightlife scene.
Officers and partners across Sussex will be working hard to find and prosecute those who continue to commit crimes and impact the communities who live and work in Sussex, as well as working to prevent crime from occurring in the first place.
You’ll also see officers patrolling the streets, talking to those in the community throughout December and January, working with partners to reduce crime, protect vulnerable people and support our communities. Please take the time to stop and speak to them and learn about what we’re doing in your local area and how we can all work together to keep Sussex safe.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “Cutting crime in our town centres and high streets remains a priority for me and we’re already seeing positive results from the increased policing activity over the summer.
“Across the winter months, Sussex Police will continue dedicated, high visibility policing in the night-time economy so that our residents and visitors can enjoy everything safely – from late-night Christmas shopping to festive parties and other seasonal activities. The public’s safety in our towns and villages remains my priority.”
Detectives have released CCTV images of a man they want to trace in connection with a report of a rape and robbery in Crawley.
We received a report that a man aged in his 30s had been attacked at an address in the High Street on 15 October in the early hours. The suspect also stole his watch and cash before making off.
The victim is being supported by specially trained officers.
Detective Inspector Becki Buckley said: “We are continuing to make extensive enquiries in this case and are keen to trace this man. If you know who he is or have any information about him, please contact us.”
If you have any information which could help our investigation, please report online or phone 101 quoting serial 119 of 15/10.
Small and independent retailers in Crawley can apply for a Shop Front and High Street Improvement Grant of up to £5,000 to spruce up their shop front and help entice more customers.
As part of the Shop Front and High Street Improvement Grant Scheme, eligible businesses in Crawley town centre and the neighbourhood parades can bid for grants of up to £5,000 to maintain and improve the external appearance of shop fronts or enhance frontline business operations. Applications can be made for shop front enhancements, minor building works, display equipment, lighting and decoration or payment system improvements. Up to four adjoining businesses can make a joint bid for a maximum of £20,000.
One of the businesses on Gales Drive parade in Crawley recently received £3,795 in grant funding to enhance several areas of their shop. In completing these improvements, the expected outcomes include enhanced security and a more aesthetically pleasing environment for customers.
This grant scheme is aimed at supporting the growth of local small and independent businesses by strengthening their competitiveness and improving the attractiveness of stores to deliver further footfall, business activity and economic vibrancy in Crawley town centre and the neighbourhood parades. I would strongly encourage eligible businesses to apply.
Councillor Atif Nawaz
Cabinet member for Planning and Economic Development
Crawley Borough Council
To be eligible to apply for a grant, businesses must:
A due diligence and evaluation process will be undertaken on all applications. Grants offered are subject to meeting eligibility criteria, fulfilling the aims of the scheme and a subsidy control declaration. Applications that demonstrate they will result in the delivery of environmental benefits, for example a reduction in carbon emissions, will be given extra weighting during the evaluation process.
To apply for a Shop Front and High Street grant, retailers need to complete the application form on our Shop Front and High Street Improvement Grant Scheme page.
Businesses can contact the Economic Development team for further information or guidance with applications by emailing [email protected].
720 New School Places Created In Surrey
720 new school places are set to be created by the council as part of the biggest investment program in surreys history.
The council’s Cabinet will consider proposals to boost capacity at six schools including schools in the reigate area.
Surrey needs to find 16,000 extra school places by 2018 because of a rise in demand from an increasing birth rate. Of those, the council is aiming to create up to 3,000 by next September.