Horsham Weekly News and Appeals

Tuesday 16th March 2021

Crime summary

Burglary

Reference: 1007 15th March Location: Longfield Road, Date and time: Between 0900hrs & 1640hrs 15th March Details: The rear patio doors was forced and entry was gained. Money and jewellery were taken.

Burglary other than Dwelling Reference: 0991 9th March Location: Rectory Lane, Date and time: Between 0055hrs 2nd March and 1800hrs 3rd March Details: Bolt cutters were used to break the padlock off a shed, items were stolen.

Reference: 0283 10th March Location: Road, Plummers Plain Date and time: 8th March Details: Someone has broken the locks off an outbuilding and stolen some tools.

Reference: 0732 11th March Location: High Street, Date and time: Approximately 1300hrs 11th March Details: Access was gained to a property and the shed at the rear.

Reference: 0468 12th March Location: Bonnetts Lane, Ifield Date and time: Between 1700hrs Monday 8th and 0700hrs Tuesday 9th. Details: Entry gained to an insecure outbuilding, money stolen.

1 Reference: 0267 15th March Location: Low Lane, Date and time: Between 1300hrs 13th March and 0600hrs 15th March Details: A pedal cycle was stolen from a communal shed.

News and appeals

Witnesses sought after youths assaulted at Horsham Skate Park

Police are appealing for witnesses following two linked incidents at Horsham Park skate park.

Around 4pm on Monday 1 March, two local boys aged 15 and 16 were assaulted by two other boys. The suspects were with another unknown male and female, and during this confrontation one of the victims had a breeze block thrown at him, causing bruising. Both victims were punched and kicked.

Later the same evening, about 6pm, the two victims were with a group of friends and were chased by the same two suspects from the earlier incident. During this, the same 15-year-old victim received a puncture wound to his back and stomach. He required hospital attention but was released shortly afterwards.

This second encounter took place near to the under pass heading to New Street. Police enquiries led to the arrest of a 17-year-old boy from on suspicion of affray, possession of cannabis and criminal damage, and a 16-year-old boy from Croydon on suspicion of wounding with intent. Both have been released on conditional bail until 30 March, pending further investigations.

Detective Colin Taylor, of the Adur, Worthing and Horsham Investigations Team, said: “We are aware of issues surrounding youth violence in the area, and we are working with partners including the local authority to provide education and enforcement. This includes an increase in high visibility patrols for public reassurance. “We must be clear that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated, and anyone caught and convicted of offences will be dealt with robustly.”

Anyone with any information about either incident is asked to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 1235 of 01/03. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report it online. https://www.sussex.police.uk/news/sussex/news/witness-appeals/witnesses- sought-after-youths-assaulted-at-horsham-skate-park2/

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Driver, 56, seriously injured in A29 collision

Police are appealing for witnesses after driver was seriously injured in a crash on the A29 Stane Street, Slinfold.

The incident involving a silver Nissan Navara and a silver Land Rover Freelander occurred about 8.08pm on Thursday 11 March, just south of the roundabout junction with the A281. Both vehicles had been travelling southbound.

The Nissan driver – a 56-year-old local man – was taken to hospital with serious leg injuries, where he remains at this stage. No other injuries were reported.

Anyone who saw what happened or captured the incident on dash cam, or saw either of the vehicles travelling in the area immediately prior to the collision, is asked to email [email protected] quoting serial 1332 of 11/03. https://www.sussex.police.uk/news/sussex/news/witness-appeals/driver-56- seriously-injured-in-a29-collision/

Specialist Enforcement Unit successfully targeting criminals using the road network

A new Sussex Police unit which was launched to track and catch dangerous and wanted criminals using the county roads network has already made 81 arrests since it was launched two months ago.

The Specialist Enforcement Unit (SEU) carries out disruption and enforcement operations on roads across the Sussex, targeting those involved in serious, organised and violent crime.

The SEU, a mix of highly-trained police officers and detectives is equipped to be a one-stop-shop for road crime – with the ability to identify, intercept and apprehend offenders, as they travel, seize drugs and stolen goods, and to investigate the crimes through to conviction.

In January and February, the unit clocked up more than 3,760 officer hours on visible proactive work across Sussex, made 81 arrests for supply of class A drugs, money laundering, driving offences and tracking down wanted people, seized more than £20,000 worth of cocaine, £7,600 worth of cannabis and more than

3 £4,000 worth of crack cocaine and heroin all well as more than £25,000 cash and taken offensive weapons such as knives, hammers, catapults and CS spray off the streets.

They have also disrupted a number of active county lines drug supply groups, seized 41 vehicles, submitted 200 intelligence reports and safeguarded 18 vulnerable people working alongside colleagues from the force Road Policing Unit, Community Investigation Teams, Border Force, Kent, Surrey and the teams. https://www.sussex.police.uk/news/sussex/news/force-news/specialist- enforcement-unit-successfully-targeting-criminals-using-the-road-network/

Other

PCSO patrols

In the last week our Police Community Support Officers have been out and about, yesterday PCSO Denness was out in Horsham town centre and last Wednesday, PCSO Beasley and PCSO Priest were out on foot patrol in Horsham town centre where they spoke to a shopkeeper about recent reports of shoplifting, they spoke to someone who was begging in West Street and went to investigate when a shop alarm was sounding.

Last Monday PCSO Jackson met up with the Billingshurst wardens, they chatted about local community concerns and how they can continue to work together to keep the community safe. Last Tuesday thanks to some useful information from two local PCSOs, our Tactical Enforcement Unit caught up with a vehicle in which was suspected of being involved in drug dealing in Horsham. Result: One arrested for suspected drug dealing and 100 wraps of crack cocaine and cash seized. We are continuing to disrupt, enforce, protect.

Help us keep Sussex safe

If you saw or heard anything, or have any information about any incident in this message please contact us online, email us at [email protected] or call 101, quoting the reference number provided.

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Links and attachments: Sussex Police will only ever link you to secure Websites we trust. We will only send you attachments where we believe it is absolutely necessary.

4 Message Sent By Adur, Worthing & Horsham (Police, District Engagement Officer, Sussex)

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