Horsham District Monthly Update – What we did in August 2014
Welcome
Sergeant Vicky Tomlinson and Police Officer Martin Cheeseman joined the Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Sergeant Gary Jacobs and Police Officers Ian Rose, Alan Fiest, Gregory Brown and Alistair Large joined the
Neighbourhood Response Team.
Sergeant Bob Trevis, a valuable member of the Neighbourhood Policing Team, retired on Friday 22 August,
having completed 30 years service. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for all his hard work and
wish him a safe and very happy retirement.
Crime & Community Safety
Two men pleaded guilty to vehicle burglary from a burglary break in Roffey at Brighton Crown Court on 21
August and will be sentenced on 18 September.
A man on bail was arrested and charged with two assaults, two criminal damages and breach of bail and
was remanded in custody until 15 September where he will appear at Hastings Magistrates Court.
Suspected stolen goods were recovered from a Storrington address as police executed four warrants across
the district on 8 August. Sussex Police Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne joined officers entering homes in
Pulborough, Storrington and Horsham. Three teams of police officers simultaneously entered two properties
in Storrington and another in Pulborough. Police believed stolen goods may have been held at the
addresses, after a spate of vehicle crime in the Storrington area in June, where power tools were stolen from
a number of vehicles. Officers seized a selection of power tools from one of the homes in Storrington and
these will now be sent for forensics to establish whether they were stolen.
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Picture: Police Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne with Horsham Police Officers
The executed warrants took place as part of the first series of Sussex Police’s Force wide ‘All Out Days’
See the full article here
A man was banned from driving for three years and given a community order with 200 hours of unpaid work,
a three month curfew, a £60 victim surcharge, and £250 costs. He had pleaded guilty to drink driving in
Fitzalan Road, Horsham and to failing to provide a breath alcohol specimen.
A man was given an 18 month conditional discharge, with £80 compensation, and a £15 victim surcharge.
He had pleaded guilty to common assault.
A drugs warrant was carried out at an address in Warnham by officers which resulted in over 50 cannabis
plants being seized and a cannabis factory dismantled.
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Picture: Police Community Support Officer Alex Griffey
Excellent work by Police Community Support Officer Charlene Parsons who found a cannabis farm on
Monday 11 August, where cash and drugs were confiscated by Horsham Police officers.
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Picture: Police Constable Anthony Cheeseman and Police Constable John Burt
Think Needles Survey (15 August) – Think Family Initiative
A multi-agency survey took place on the Needles Estate in Horsham with questions being asked around
‘Crime/Anti-Social Behaviour, Environment, Unemployment and Community’. Seventy-two surveys were
completed on the day; all in all a very encouraging response with initial indicators suggesting that the
feedback has been mainly positive about the area.
Each household received a letter a week prior to the survey taking place to advise them about this initiative.
There is also an opportunity to complete the survey on line or attend a catch-up session at the Children and
Family Centre on the 6 September between 9.30am – 12.00pm
A big thank you to all those residents who participated in this survey! Results of our findings and any
resulting actions will be fed back to the local community in due course.
Picture: Think Needles Survey Team
Victim Focus
A woman reported her phone stolen from a local post office. She had an app on her phone which meant if
tampered with, such as a wrong security code is entered or SIM interfered, then it takes a photo of the
person, GPS location and sends an email it to the owner. PC Wright viewed the photo of the suspect and
attended at the GPS location which resulted in identifying the suspect and the phone being returned to its
rightful owner. This theft was dealt with via community resolution.
Bike Marking
PCSO Parsons and PCSO Slaughter set up a ‘property marking’ day for local residents at Deer Park
Steyning and Fletchers Croft, Henfield to bring their items to be marked up for free. This day was advertised
through the BN5 magazine, Henfield Hub and posters were put up throughout the villages. Police Cadet
Ethan Maynard assisted PCSO Parsons and Slaughter on the day. Public leaflets on crime prevention and
shed alarms were given out. It was a very successful day with 89 items, including bikes, scooters,
lawnmowers and mobility scooters being marked up on the day.
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Public Confidence
Dealing with Anti-Social Driving Offenders
Police Constable Whitehouse from the Roads Policing Unit has been dealing with anti-social driving in
Horsham District. This has particularly been occurring around the Great Daux Roundabout with 33 calls
being made to Sussex Police over a nine year period from one complainant; her life was being made a
misery by anti-social driving close to her house. The Road Policing Unit used a number of initiatives to catch
the small minority of road users who were using the A24 as a race track. The following were caught ‘drifting’
on Great Daux roundabout and racing up and down the A24. One man from Surrey pleaded guilty to
careless driving and was given seven points, £750 fine, £85 costs and £35 victim charge. Another man from
Surrey pleaded guilty to careless driving and was disqualified for 28 days, £350 fine plus costs and victim
surcharge. The third defendant awaits trial in October. This sends a clear message that anti-social driving will
not be tolerated!
Remember to report any anti-social driving on the Operation Crackdown Sussex Safer Road Partnership
website (www.operationcrackdown.org), or if you would rather not give your name, you can make an
anonymous report to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website - https://crimestoppers-uk.org
Thank you’s
Thank you card and box of Hero chocolates received from member of public. This relates to Sergeant
Drabble, Police Constables White and Venus.
‘Dear Sir and Colleagues, thank you all for your prompt professional response in my hour of need. I was
treated with the utmost care and respect, Fond Regards … Jean. I thank you all, my Heroes’.
Thank you letter received from member of public to PC James Munden.
Dear Chief Officer, Last week whilst visiting Horsham I lost my mobile phone. It was found and given to PC
Munden by someone he knew. I was delighted when PC Munden phoned to say it had been found. I
collected it a few days later.
The person on the front desk was very helpful; PC Munden wasn’t there at the time. I’m writing to say how
grateful I am for the superb service I received. Please pass on my appreciation to PC Munden. Your staff
are an excellent advert for the Police Service’.
Ian Lister
Value for Money
Neighbourhood Schools Officer Keith Beckley presented a cheque to Millais School for £350 from the Police
Property Act.
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Picture: Neighbourhood Schools Officer Keith Beckley and pupils from Millais School
PCSO Bryony Sparks has secured a cheque for £200 from the Police Property Act in support of Steyning
Church of England Primary School.
Regards
Chief Inspector Howard Hodges
Horsham District Commander
West Sussex Division
Tel: 101 Ext. 530224
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