Present:        Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne, PC Anthony

                        Cheeseman, PCSO Tim Wainwright, Watch Commander Rob Johnson,

                        Station Commander Lee Aggett, Peter Chatfield, Tony Cocklin,  Rodger Filson, Geoff Gant, Bruce Ogilvy, Chris Phillips, Jonathan Pratt, Roger Webb.

Apologies:       Eddie Lord, Diane Ward.

Introduction

A warm welcome was extended to Sussex PCC, Katy Bourne. Her interest in attending the Panel meeting was much appreciated.

Rob Johnson and Lee Aggett were thanked for making the Fire Station available and for their hospitality.

Police Briefing

Special Constable Recruitment: PC Cheeseman reported that the June recruitment drive for Special Constables had attracted 300 applicants across Sussex. Once interviews and selection had taken place, training would begin. He noted that one candidate was a local Crawley Down resident. The longer-term plan was to have locally-based Special Constables for the villages.

Rogue Traders: Warning was given about rogue traders harassing residents in the area. Police advice was to consult www.checkatrade.com before commissioning any work.

Fire & Rescue Briefing

Industrial Action: Rob Johnson briefed the Panel on current Fire & Rescue industrial action taking place.

Anti-terrorist Training: Fire & Rescue crews had recently undergone extensive anti-terrorist training at Gatwick in conjunction with the Hazardous Areas Response Team (HART). In this context, the new 'Prime Mover' heavy-duty equipment was described.

Arson in Horley: A recent spate of arson attacks in Horley, mainly against sports facilities, was reported.

Village Fetes: The Fire & Rescue team had provided presence and fire safety demonstrations at the recent Copthorne Carnival. Similar activity was planned for the Turners Hill Village Fete on July 20.

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner

Introductory Comments

In her introductory comments, Katy Bourne explained the background to the PCC reforms which came into effect following public elections in November 2012. Previously, policing operated under a system whereby priorities were set by central government; delivery was down to Chief Constables; and supervision provided by Police Authorities. This arrangement failed because there was no direct connection with the public. This was illustrated by the fact that, although Sussex had 1.6 million residents, the previous police Authority had received just 49 public approaches.

It was decided by the current Government to place police forces under publicly-elected Commissioners through the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. As Sussex PCC, Katy Bourne was now responsible for setting publicpriorities for the Police by producing a Police & Crime Plan; setting the annual force budget in consultation with the Chief Constable, ensuring that local and national priorities were suitably funded; setting council tax precept for the police; and holding the Chief Constable to account for delivery and performance.

The Commissioner system was, she said: The biggest reform to policing ever seen in this country.Key innovations were a) the community could now influence policing; and b) the Commissioner could be voted out. The current PCC annual budget was £260 million. Sussex had the fourth-lowest council tax precept in the country (Surrey was highest). The PCC had a team of 12 people and was planning to employ two more. It was noted that the cost of the PCC's office amounted to 66 pence per voter per year.

Providing examples of practical activities, the PCC was now responsible for Community Safety Partnerships (seven in West Sussex, five in East Sussex); for Victim Support Services now devolved from central Government; and for the Restorative Justice Initiative in conjunction with the Sussex Criminal Justice Board. Notably, she recognised that road safety was a special priority in Sussex.

Follow-up Discussion
A range of issues was covered in subsequent discussion, including answers to Panel questions.

Police Presence
Bobbies on Beat:The PCC advised that this was a new era and policing was changing. ‘Bobbies-on-the-beat’ was old style. She cited the growing incidence of cyber-crime, mainly in the form of internet fraud. Many people were affected, but few reported to the Police. The National Crime Agency handled serious, major fraud; and Regional Organised Crime Units operated at a lower level. Police were now working on how cyber-crime should be dealt with at NPT level. The PCC highlighted the now-extensive Police use of social media communication. At the same time, it was expected that Police would be fully equipped with advanced mobile technology. Improvement to the 101 non-emergency system was referred to and it was expected to take 12 months to complete. Overall, while there might not be more ‘bobbies-on-the-beat,’ there would be better use of resources and Sussex could expect significantly more effective policing in the future. PC Cheeseman advised that new ‘crossover’ arrangements between East Grinstead and Crawley would enable faster Police response times.

Traffic/Road Safety: In response to concerns raised, PC Cheeseman advised that the Road Policing Unit (RPU) had recently carried out monitoring/enforcement duties on the B2028 Turners Hill Road in Crawley Down. The Police were active in following up offenders reported by Community Speed Watch teams. PCSO Wainwright confirmed that he was regularly visiting individuals reported a third time for speeding. General discussion centred on the B2028/Vicarage Road situation. PCSO Wainwright reminded the Panel that Rob Rhodes-Kubiak of WSSC Highways was expected to attend the next meeting which would focus on road safety/traffic concerns. It was suggested that the relevant West Sussex County Councillor should also be invited to attend. It was, however, agreed that consultation with the Highways official should take place before any political pressure be brought to bear. Traffic- calming measures, including enforcement cameras, were discussed. Chris Phillips advised that Worth Parish Council was 'on the case' noting that Section 106 and possibly CIL money could be available from development projects in Crawley Down. In the meanwhile, the PCC said that she would approach the RPU regarding greater enforcement.

Parking Problems: Bruce Ogilvy raised the problem of vehicles parked on pavements in Sandy Lane and Vicarage Road, Crawley Down. As this matter is an ongoing Panel priority, discussion was deferred to a later part of the meeting. (See below).

No Cold Calling Policy: Geoff Gant raised the question of why 'No Cold Calling zones' were no longer supported in West Sussex. The Panel was advised that a meeting on this issue was taking place between the Police and WSCC the following day (July 17) at Haywards Heath Police Station. Police Sgt. Graeme Prentice would be attending n behalf of the NPT. Geoff was accordingly advised to contact Sgt. Prentice to ensure that the concerns of his Turners Hill Park community were duly represented. The key WSCC contact on the issue was Peter Ashton.

Illegal Traveller Sites: The PCC advised that this was a problem everywhere in Sussex. The answer was to provide special Transit Sites to which travellers could be directed and be required to move on after three months. Last summer the Chichester area experienced 51 illegal traveller sites because no Transit Site existed in West Sussex. In East Sussex which did offer a Transit Site, just six illegal camps appeared. However, problems now existed in East Sussex because of logistics involved following the temporary closure of a- permanent traveller site in the Brighton & Hove area. The PCC regarded this issue as a priority in which she played a critical role.

PCSO Powers: The PCC advised that a special working group was looking into PCSO powers. Currently, there were 354 PCSOs in Sussex. PCSO funding was not ring-fenced and the issue was in the hands of the PCC and the Chief Constable.

Domestic Abuse: In reporting that one her most encouraging experiences was meeting an 80-year-old lady now free from domestic abuse following the death of her husband, the issue in general was raised. PC Cheeseman observed that domestic abuse was, in fact, on the rise. Reports of abuse had risen, on average, from 40 to 63 per day. Domestic abuse occurred in many forms, not just violence. PCSOs were now trained to recognise the various forms of domestic abuse.

Ongoing Panel Priorities

 Problem Parking
As noted earlier, Bruce Ogilvy reported that problems were occurring with vehiclesparked partially on pavements in Sandy Lane and Vicarage Road, Crawley Down. 'The Pavements Are For People' campaign was referred to and PCSO Wainwright advised that warning leaflets would be provided by Rob Rhodes Kubiak of WSSC Highways at the next Panel meeting. Rob Johnson advised that special Fire & Rescue leaflets warning indiscriminate parkers not to cause obstruction were also available.

Chris Phillips reported that the overall problem of indiscriminate parking in Crawley Down and Copthorne was high on the Worth Parish Council agenda. Liaison was taking place with MSDC on the Worth PC self-enforcement initiative.

Proposals to implement enforcement procedures using locally-recruited parking wardens would be included in the 2015/16 Worth PC budget.

Wheelie Bin Traffic Calming Messages
Further to agreement made at the previous meeting that the scheme should be implemented under the management of Worth and Turners Hill parish councils working in liaison, PCSO Wainwright would e-mail relevant documentation to Jonathan Pratt.

New Priority

 Drug Dealing

PC Cheeseman proposed that a campaign against drug dealing in the area should be adopted as a Panel priority. It would centre on residents being alert to suspect cars containing groups of young men. Details (reg. no./location) should be noted and reported to the Police.

Any Other Business

 Panel Membership Change: Due to the pressure of other commitments, Diane Ward had decided to step down from the Panel. Diane was thanked for her previous contribution to the Panel and members wished her well.

Meet The Police Posters: Roger Webb asked if 'Meet The Police' posters could be provided for display in the villages to advise residents of NPT personnel and how to contact them. PCSO Wainwright agreed to circulate appropriate posters via e-mail.

NEXT MEETING

Date:               Wednesday, October 1.

Time:               7.30 p.m.

Venue:             The Ark, Turners Hill.