Holidaymakers returning to Gatwick Airport were left stranded after being unable to locate their cars after using a meet and greet service.

Lauren James from Worcestershire booked with iPark at Gatwick while away in France, but returned to find she and other passengers were left stranded trying to find their cars.

They tracked some vehicles to a site outside the airport and along with the police.

James recounted how there was a car with about four men and a boot was open and there was just a boot-full of car keys in individual plastic wallets.

Some vehicles were dirty, items had been taken, or some left in a short-stay car park with owners facing bills of hundreds of pounds.

Oli Bedford, head of car parks at London Gatwick said: “We are aware of rogue third-party parking companies purporting to offer valet or meet-and-greet services operating at a number of airports.

They added that the airport is closely working with the police, trading standards and the British Parking Association to address the issue.

Crawley Borough Council will be launching its new weekly food waste collection service for individual households across the borough in the autumn.

The new service is being introduced as part of the government’s Simpler Recycling reforms.

Alongside this, general rubbish collections for individual households will move to a fortnightly schedule using existing bins.

A few weeks before food waste collections start, each household will receive a starter pack including a lockable 23 litre outdoor food waste bin with an orange lid and a five litre indoor caddie, as well as a free starter roll of compostable liners.

Tilgate Zoo has announced that it will be taking part in the  Great British Summer Saving scheme.

From the 25 of June to the 1 September visitors can enjoy a fantastic day out for less with discounted entry ticket prices.

The scheme helps to make popular attractions more accessible with lower entry costs.

The discounted tickets are available online or can be purchased on the day.

A county drugs line known as “Giant”, which supplied crack cocaine and heroin across Eastern Surrey, West Sussex, Kent and South London, has been dismantled after all four defendants involved in its operation were sentenced.

The investigation began in May 2025 when officers uncovered messages relating to the operation during an unrelated drugs enquiry. What initially appeared to be a handful of messages soon revealed something far larger – a county drugs line operating across multiple force areas.

Officers from Centurion, the dedicated Surrey and Sussex Police team tackling county lines drug activity, joined forces with Surrey Police’s Eastern Proactive Investigation Team to identify those behind the line and build a detailed picture of how it operated.

Analysis of mobile phone data quickly became central to the investigation. A drugs expert examining the phone line identified bulk marketing messages being sent to users advertising the availability of Class A drugs. Messages including “LIVE DELIVERY GIANT” and “GIANT FAT SIZES DELIVERIES” provided investigators with early evidence of the line’s activity and reach.

As officers worked backwards from the phone data, they identified Kenan Mitchell, 28 (DOB: 27/10/1997) from Kent, as a key figure within the network. Investigators established that he was linked to four separate mobile phone numbers, while analysis of his personal device revealed videos depicting large quantities of cash, expensive watches and aspects of a lavish lifestyle.

The investigation then uncovered significant links between Mitchell and Bridget Doherty, 24 (DOB:21/05/2002) from Essex. Analysis of phone data revealed Mitchell and Doherty played closely linked roles in the operation of the Giant line.

As officers continued to unravel the network, two more individuals were linked to the operation.

Jaipaul Johnson, 20 (DOB: 16/11/2005) and Amish Patel, 43 (DOB: 29/07/1982) both from Crawley, were identified after purchasing phone top-ups for the drugs line. Messages showed users arranging drug deals through the line, with locations then being relayed directly to Johnson, providing further evidence of his role in the operation. Meanwhile, further data revealed Patel accompanying Johnson on journeys to London to meet with Mitchell.

As the investigation gathered pace, officers steadily cut the Giant line down to size, identifying those responsible and building the evidence needed to secure warrants.

When Johnson was arrested, he was found in possession of 147 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin, £370 in cash and several mobile phones.

Searches carried out at Doherty’s address, where both Doherty and Mitchell were arrested, uncovered 18.2g of cocaine and the main Giant line phone. Further searches of addresses linked to Mitchell uncovered between £20,000 and £30,000 in cash, 88.8g of cocaine and multiple mobile phones. Officers also recovered scales, snap bags and handwritten telephone numbers consistent with drug supply activity.

A search of Patel’s address resulted in officers recovering his mobile phone, scales, a quantity of cocaine, a crossbow and a knuckle duster.

Investigating officer PC Geordie Logan said: “This was an extremely complex investigation involving months of detailed phone analysis, intelligence development and proactive policing activity.

“The defendants played significant roles in a county drugs line responsible for supplying crack cocaine and heroin across multiple counties. The harm caused by Class A drugs extends far beyond those selling and using them; it impacts entire communities. Through the collaboration between teams and partner forces, we were able to identify those responsible, dismantle the line and bring those involved before the courts.

“We remain committed to tackling county drugs lines and would encourage anyone with concerns about drug dealing in their community to report it to us.”

The group were sentenced as follows:

– Appearing at Guildford Crown Court on 3 June, Kenan Mitchell, 28 (DOB: 27/10/1997) from Kent was sentenced to six years and nine months’ imprisonment.

– Bridget Doherty, 24 (DOB:21/05/2002) from Essex received a 16 month suspended sentence over 24 months.

– Jaipaul Johnson, 20 (DOB: 16/11/2005) from Crawley was sentenced to seven years and two months’ imprisonment.

– Amish Patel, 43 (DOB: 29/07/1982) from Crawley was sentenced to two years and six months’ imprisonment.

A six-year-old girl and her father had to be airlifted to hospital following an incident at a barbecue in Crawley.

The event was taking place on Worth Road on Sunday evening.

It’s reported that the child suffered serious burns.

Sussex police officers attended the scene.