POLICE are warning Buxted and Hadlow Down residents to be aware of suspicious activity after six burglaries or attempted burglaries have been reported in the area since February 10.

They say these mainly happen during the evening or overnight when would-be intruders either force doors or windows or get in through unlocked doors.

Between Friday and Saturday, February 10-11 a house in Framfield Road, Buxted was broken into and cash and electrical items stolen. then a house in Hurstwood Road, Buxted was broken into between Saturday and Sunday, February 18-19 but burglars appear to have been disturbed by an alarm and nothing was stolen.

On February 18 a house in Hasingford Lane, Hadlow Down, was broken into but once again intruders were disturbed by an alarm.

Electrical items were taken when a house in Nan Tucks Lane, Buxted was broken into on Monday, February 20 and electrical goods and money stolen from a home in Etchingwood Lane, Buxted between Sunday and Monday, February 19-20.

An alarm wrecked attempts to break into another house, this time in Wilderness Lane, Hadlow Down between Monday and Tuesday, February 20-21 and nothing was stolen.

DC Alex Campbell of East Sussex priority crime team said: “We would ask everyone to ensure that all doors and windows are locked, especially overnight or while you are out, and to report anything suspicious to police on 999 if it is taking place, otherwise via 101 quoting Operation Discover.

“On three occasions the offenders have been disturbed by intruder alarms at the properties. We would ask local residents to listen out for any alarms and contact police if these are believed to have been activated in suspicious circumstances.

“It is also recommended that photographs of expensive items you may have in your home are kept and you have full details, including serial numbers, of your personal belongings.”

Anyone with information regarding any of these burglaries is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101 quoting Operation Discover or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

]]> 1.3549331 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:31:02 +0000 http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/your_mep_looks_at_a_lost_generation_1_3548919

OUR young people are our future. I don’t say that as a vague platitude or as the father of young children but in a very practical sense.

They are tomorrow’s doctors, nurses, construction workers, teachers, retail workers and so on.

Or rather they have the potential to be.

Parliamentary arguments over the economy can often seem a bit detached and fuelled by political point scoring but they have very real consequences.

We are facing a crisis of youth unemployment. The latest figures make for grim reading and show there are now over one million young people out of work – that means nearly one in four 18-24 year olds is unemployed; the highest number since records began. That is a disaster for our young people and a disaster for the future of Britain.

Worse, it now appears that unemployment is becoming entrenched. The number of young people claiming JSA for over six months is rocketing:

In East Sussex the figure has jumped 92 per cent in the last year.

In West Sussex there has been a 48 per cent increase in long term claimants.

Spending so long on the dole at a young age can have life-long consequences. Far too many skilled youngsters are being left frustrated and idle because the jobs they want simply don’t exist.

We often hear Conservative Ministers blaming unemployment on laziness or scrounging, but the truth is that in some of these places there are up to 20 JSA claimants per vacancy at the job centre!

This is a jobs crisis not one of apathy.

The Government is creating a jobless generation, with more young people out of work than ever before. It is painfully clear that the Government’s welfare to work programmes are not doing the job and the time for dithering is over – Ministers must act now before a generation is left scarred by their mistakes.

As part of Labour’s five point plan for jobs I want to see a £2billion bankers’ bonus tax with the proceeds invested in up to 100,000 jobs for young people and a tax break for small firms taking on new employees.

We need to get the economy going again and we need to protect our young people from the blight of unemployment.

If you want to get in touch just email me at {mailto:southeast@peterskinnermep.eu|southeast@peterskinnermep.eu|southeast@peterskinnermep.eu}

And don’t forget you can learn more on my website {http://www.peterskinnermep.eu/|www.peterskinnermep.eu|www.peterskinnermep.eu} and you can follow me on Twitter (@PWSkinnerMEP) and Facebook (Peter Skinner MEP).

PETER SKINNER

Member of the European Parliament for the South East Region

]]> 1.3548919 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:20:51 +0000 http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/find_it_and_qype_take_down_thousands_of_fake_reviews_1_3548796

Find It, powered by Qype, Europe’s leading consumer reviews site, has cut thousands of misleading or malicious reviews from its 13.5 million online listings.

Taking a tough stance on third parties who abuse online reviews, Find It and Qype have taken down over 2,000 fake reviews in the last month. Around three per cent of new reviews have been deleted since the partnership declared war on unethical listings.

With a new review appearing every 30 seconds on everything from hostels and tourist attractions to hairdressers and minicab companies, Find It and Qype have implemented a continuous campaign to keep the directory clean and ensure all business listings and reviews for the East Sussex district are accurate and fair.

Find It, powered by Qype, is committed to stopping people who use its listings for financial gain, and aims to stamp out biased or unreliable reviews.

“Find It is the number one source for trusted local reviews and listings, and working with Qype we want to ensure every single listing is independent and impartial,” Andy Prior, Digital Product Manager at Johnston Press.

Find it, powered by Qype, gives you immediate access to over two million independent reviews on everything from quirky cafés and clubs to plumbers and primary schools. Covering 166,000 locations worldwide, including thousands of real reviews on the best places to go in the East Sussex district, Find it powered by Qype is an indispensable guide for locals, at home or away.

Find businesses listed in your local area at www.sussexexpress.co.uk/findit

A DRAMATIC POLICE pursuit ended with the arrest of five men after a van was allegedly rammed into a police patrol car.

Sussex Police said a brave officer disturbed burglars during a break-in at a golf warehouse in Polegate around 7.10pm on Saturday, February 18.

He heard an alarm sounding from the Chaucer Industrial Estate in Ditton’s Road and investigated.

Suddenly the officer found a group of men running from the warehouse who quickly got into a van, said Sussex Police.

The fearless officer tried to stop them but the van was allegedly driven into his patrol car, damaging the wheel arch.

A police pursuit began with the officer following the van in his car. He called for back-up and a traffic police car took over the pursuit.

The van was pulled over by police on the A22 towards Hailsham.

Sussex Police said five men were arrested on suspicion of burglary.

A 44-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop. They have all been released on bail until April 5 for further inquiries.

Det Sgt Jo Benton said: “The officer did a good job and thanks to his diligence we were able to arrest five suspects. We are still appealing for witnesses to the incident.”

Anyone who has information should contact Sussex Police on 101 quoting serial 1420 of February 18.

]]> 1.3546172 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:36:14 +0000 http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/athletics_news_1_3535129

THE last race of the East Sussex Sunday Cross Country League was held on Sunday at Snape Wood, Wadhurst. A cold day – with the undulating course covered in compacted snow – welcomed the runners. The combined Uckfield/Heathfield team entered the race in third place but with Crowborough/Wadhurst just one point behind, and Hastings AC two points behind, there was stiff competition for that third place spot. Uckfield/Heathfield and Crowborough/Wadhurst both put out strong teams. Lewes AC was first in the event, with Crowborough/Wadhurst finishing second and Uckfield/Heathfield third. This put the two teams on equal points and consequently in joint third place behind Lewes AC first and Hailsham Harriers second.

The runners from Uckfield/Heathfield were: Graham West 41.29, Will Blandford 41.37, Peter Wilkes 51.21, Fleur Blanford 54.56, Tanya Edmondson 55.14, Tony Fitzgerald 56.13, Rachael Hornigold 66.51, Emma Hyland 66.51. Tanya finished second in the Lady 60 category for the season and Peter just missed out on a medal in the Men 65 just being pushed down from third to fourth place in this final race. For further details of Uckfield Runners please visit the website www.utopiarunners.co.uk.

Interest Only remains in the Spotlight this week as Lloyds Banking Group and Leeds Building society impose restrictions on those wishing to obtain an interest only mortgage. This is following Santander’s interest only loan reduction last week and Barclays/Woolwich previous to that.

Although Santander reduced the maximum LTV on interest only to 50 per cent, they did not change their criteria. However, Lloyds Banking Group (Lloyds, Halifax, C&G) have restricted acceptable repayment plans so that, despite keeping Interest only at 75% of the property value, many borrowers may not qualify. These repayment vehicles include providing proof of a pension pot in excess of £1m, cash savings are no longer accepted and sale of any residential property can only be used if current equity is over £50k and only 80 per cent of current equity can be used. It is reported that the other high street providers are not looking to follow suit. But we will see!

In more positive news, those who know AToM will know that, in addition to arranging mortgages for the general public, we are also a specialist packager/distributor looking after and arranging mortgages for other mortgage brokers, estate agents and independent financial advisers nationally. For some lenders, AToM acts as their administration arm, collating information, instructing valuation and processing applications right up to mortgage offer status.

For other lenders, AToM will often be allocated a tranche of funds to distribute for them and AToM advertises and controls the administration process. Any mortgage broker, independent financial adviser or similar, who require these certain products, will often have to come via AToM to gain access to such products. The benefit to the lender is that AToM carry out all the work, including taking telephone calls, requesting information from employers/accountants, collating documentation, and more. So it’s cost effective for the lender.

With this in mind, we are delighted to announce our latest lending partner in this arena, called MBS Lending (part of the Melton Mowbray Building Society) and we now package and distribute products for them. This lender specialises in assisting customers who have had financial issues.

This is one area, more so in recent climates, that appears to be on the increase again and there are lenders actively looking to lend. Terms & Conditions apply and APRs will be based upon individual circumstances.

Dale Jannels - AToM director

]]> 1.3544856 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:02:22 +0000 http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/countdown_to_tokyo_less_than_one_week_left_to_go_1_3540691

ARTS editor Phil Hewitt is now counting down to the hours to the Tokyo Marathon...

Possibly my favourite marathon moment came in my second London Marathon, a mile from a finish which seemed never to get any closer.

I was at my lowest ebb, every step was agony, confusion had long since squeezed out whatever common sense I had left.

Maybe I had got the hydration wrong, maybe it just wasn’t my day.

But something was seriously up, and I knew I had to get help from somewhere. Or someone.

And that’s the glory of the London Marathon. There are plenty of people to choose from, hundreds of thousands of them lining the route that takes you to the finish.

My good fortune is that I chose exactly the right person, a little angel of a lad, resplendent in his St John Ambulance uniform, standing on the corner as you turn into Parliament Square.

By now I was in last-resort territory. That resort was to thrust my chest towards randomly-selected bystanders in the hope that they would shout out the name emblazoned across my chest.

And, boy, did I pick the right boy in that ghastly moment.

“Come on, Phil”, he shouted, right in my face, and who knows, that might just have been enough.

But the little sweetheart instantly added: “Phil! Phil! You can still win this!”

OK, a little tear still comes to my eye when I think about it ten years later.

It was the most absurd thing to say. Completely bonkers.

But it was also absolutely the right thing to say. I smiled, I laughed and I floated.

New energy in my aching limbs, I made it through that final mile and was still grinning as I crossed the line.

I was sickly blue in the lips, deathly pale in the face, but grinning from ear to ear.

The actual winner had won an hour and a half earlier, but the little boy had been right. In my own terms, I could still win it and I did.

Whenever (not often!) my love of marathons wobbles, I think back to that glorious moment – one which sums up not just the insanity of marathon running, but also its humanity, not just its horrible lows, but also its off-the-top-of-the-scale highs.

That little boy will never know what he did for me that day, but ten years on, this Sunday morning (February 26) as I stand on the start line at the Tokyo Marathon, I will be thinking of him, cherishing the memory of a moment right up there in the annals of my running history.

Tokyo will be my 26th marathon and will come at the end of an important week for me.

Last Friday, my book {http://www.summersdale.com/book/2/569/keep-on-running|Keep On Running} was sent off to the printers by the superb team at Summersdale publishing in Chichester.

Summersdale picked out exactly the right passage from the book for the blurb on the back: “Marathons make you miserable, but they also give you the most unlikely and the most indescribable pleasures.

“It’s a world that I love – a world unlocked when you dress up in Lycra, put plasters on your nipples and run

26.2 miles in the company of upwards of 30,000 complete strangers.”

And it’s that makes Tokyo on Sunday so mouth-watering a prospect.

It’s a place I fell in love with last October when I joined a group of journalists for a look at the course, courtesy of the Tokyo Marathon Foundation.

Japan is a country which hits you right between the eyes with the most vibrant, the most intoxicating mix of sights and sounds and smells.

Tokyo is a place which grabs you and gets inside you, fast, fascinating and above all friendly - a city built on respect and on the warmest of welcomes.

As guests of the Tokyo Marathon organisation, we were treated with every courtesy by hosts ever eager to please and confident in the knowledge that they have got a rare treasure to reveal: a city which makes you walk taller, lifts the spirits and leaves you drunk on its atmosphere.

Everyone was intent on telling us that Tokyo was safe.

I took them at their word, plunging down dark alleys and side streets camera in hand, exploring the bright glitzy neon streets and enjoying unmolested the beautiful tranquillity of an early-morning run.

A self-confessed marathon bore and a veteran of 25 marathons in ten different countries, I like to think I know a good marathon course when I see one: Tokyo’s is a cracker, kicking off outside the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building before heading off through the dazzling night club district.

Then it reaches the perimeter of the Imperial Palace Gardens before heading for Ginza, Japan’s number-one high-end shopping district.

After that you plunge into the old town before wending your way to the finish at Tokyo Big Sight – a challenging course, but an excellent one, very much created with the sights in mind but also one geared towards the runners themselves, as its impressive 97 per cent finishing rate suggests.

So, I beg of you, dear reader: be my little boy this weekend.

The marathon starts at 9.10am on Sunday, which is ten past midnight UK time.

If any of you happen to be awake at that time, and at any time in the next few hours, shout out (or even mutter into your pillow): “Phil! Phil! You can still win this!”.

I promise you that it will make the world of difference to me half a world away.

HERE we are again in the world of ANIME, this time it`s all about gods and mega beings, ASURA`S WRATH (sounds like something you get after a chilli cook off) is a new game from CAPCOM and CYBER CONNECT 2 .

Like I have said before this is a game that is for the ANIME enthusiast, if you’re looking for something conventional then this is not the place for you, instead this title is more of a movie with some gameplay thrown in for good measure.

The story revolves around a character known as ASURA, a rootin` tootin` kick bottom DEMI-GOD ,betrayed by his fellow gods (usual story, these god`s can`t be trusted) and is thrown out of heaven, losing his wife and child into the bargain, and is resurrected centuries later, by the force of his anger, seeing what a mess the world is in ASURA becomes more agitated (this guy certainly has some issues) and embarks on a series of outrageous mega battles with other deities, resulting in some spectacular fight scenes.

This all takes place over a period of 12,000 years and you can imagine after being “stitched up” by his mates, having his wife murdered, and daughter kidnapped, ASURA is not in any mood to relax and move on.

In fact he runs about ranting and raving like a madman beating the living daylights out of any thing that gets in his way.

ASURA WRATH like many of the ANIME type games is story driven, which of course means many drawn out cut scenes, which are beautifully rendered and thought out, intercut with what I would describe as “Boss battles” ,certainly not conventional but very ANIME.

The game itself is 18 episodes long, each one consisting of opening credits and some really nice illustrations which make ASURAS WRATH more of an experience rather than a game, and there is plenty of variety in the game play even though it is mainly 10 minutes of “cut scene” and 5 minutes of “Boss battle”.

If you are looking for a conventional RPG then this isn`t for you and I am sure many gamers will feel a bit cheated by the lack of actual gameplay. In fact the whole thing is only 6 hours long, most of which is “cut scenes“.

This fusion of Science fiction and Asian mythology has been done before and the really over the top battle scenes certainly are very spectacular, it’s just a pity that the game doesn`t have more game play.

Granted the story is interesting, but is this a game or a DVD? For the price I do think there should be more interactivity, and I can imagine that many gamers will be hitting the “skip” button often after a few hours of play.

There will be DLC sometime in the near future but will it be more “cut scenes” or gameplay?

The actual gameplay itself is good and I enjoyed it with plenty of variety and a selection of different moves.

There are a number of QTE`s (quick time events) in which you are prompted to press certain buttons at certain times, but these really have no bearing on the outcome, just on you ratings at the end.

ASURA`S WRATH is a great game, if you are into the whole ANIME, Japanese crazy over blown action genre, otherwise be warned that if you are willing to fork out forty bucks or so, and expect an normal RPG then you will be disappointed.

It is refreshing to see companies that are willing to try something new, and push the boundaries, that is a healthy thing in the industry, this is a great concept but the lack of game play for the price will put many people off, it certainly is a great experience to behold but it should have been released on download with each level as a DLC to keep the cost down.

Summary

ASURAS WRATH is a game like no other, rich in story and beautifully animated, it would work as just a movie in itself, but to non ANIME lovers it would just be a bit long winded and lacking in game play.

If you are thinking of giving it a go just be aware that you will be sitting around watching more than playing, and it is not a very long experience for the money.

I give ASURA`S WRATH 8 out of 10 because it is another ground breaking and original idea but the lack of game play is off putting.

Asura`s Wrath

Developer: Cyber Connect 2

Publisher: Capcom

Xbox 360©

Playstation 3©

Genre: Action

Age Rating: 18

Release Date: 9th march 2012

Review by Dayvid Ryan

]]> 1.3544141 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:57:29 +0000 http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/council_freeze_for_lewes_district_residents_1_3543970

LEWES District residents will see no increase to their council tax bills for the coming year.

This means that an average Band D tax payer will still pay £192.48 for the year.

The council is setting out an ambitious agenda to improve customer services, work smarter and save money by delivering a programme to modernise the way it works.

New leader of Lewes District Council, Councillor James Page, said: “We are determined to do all we can for the residents of Lewes District in these tough times, which is why we are freezing council tax.

“We are confident that we will also continue to improve services to our residents while saving money which we can pass on to residents in the form of a council tax freeze.

“The electorate voted us in to take control of the Council’s services and finances and we have listened and acted.”

Residents’ council tax bills are made up of the budget needs of East Sussex County Council, the Sussex Police Authority, East Sussex Fire Authority and their local town or parish council.

All of the principal authorities have agreed to freeze their elements of the council tax bill.

The average council tax for town and parish councils for the year increases by £2.01. To be clear, the Lewes District Council element of council tax will remain frozen.

The total average Band D amount is £1,644.88.

]]> 1.3543970 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:13:05 +0000 http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/new_leader_of_lewes_district_council_elected_1_3543650

COUNCILLOR James Page has been elected as the new Leader of Lewes District Council.

Cllr Page said: “I’m honoured to be leader of Lewes District Council. I became involved in local politics because I felt things that could be done better.

“The residents of Lewes District deserve the best services possible for the council tax they pay.

“I have today set out a new direction. We want to create a “One District, One Council” approach that brings the council closer to the residents of the district.

“We are going to focus on three things – unswerving commitment to excellent value services, uncompromising commitment to quality and unlocking the talents of staff to improve services.

“What does this mean in practical terms for residents? Well it means improving customer services, working smarter and saving money.”

Cllr Page takes over from cllr Tony Nicholson who stood down as leader, a role he took on in May 2011, following the local elections.

There are three councillors on cabinet without portfolio. They bring business expertise and experience to the roles they fulfil.

]]> 1.3543650 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:07:47 +0000 http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/wolves_hungry_to_snap_up_poyet_brighton_boss_second_favourite_for_job_1_3542529

Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers are eyeing up Brighton’s Gustavo Poyet as a potential replacement for recently sacked Mick McCarthy.

The Black Country outfit had interviewed Alan Curbishley, Neil Warnock and Steve Bruce but were left having to widen their search after all three turned their backs on the job.

Reading’s Brian McDermott is also believed to also be on the Molineux club’s shortlist and is considered a more likely option than Poyet because of his greater experience in the second flight.

Poyet has previously said he would remain loyal to the Albion unless faced with an offer he considered too good to turn down.

However, with a relative inexperience in management and a CV which currently boasts a single promotion from League One, the popular boss is unlikely to be in the running for more high profile vacancies in the near future.

Online bookies SkyBet currently have Poyet as joint second favourite at 5/2 with McDermott at 9/4.

Sussex County Cricket Club have announced that they will be returning to Dubai in March as part of their pre-season preparations.

It is with thanks to the Crimson Hotel Group and Sport Arabia Ltd that Sussex are able to make another trip abroad following the Caribbean T20 last month and the club are grateful of their support and the continued partnership between themselves and the club.

The squad will fly out to the UAE on Tuesday 20th March and will play initially in the Emirates Airlines Twenty20 2012 Tournament, alongside Durham Dynamos, Lancashire Lightning and an MCC XI, featuring Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly, with the matches taking place at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai.

The tour’s primary objective though will be preparing the squad for four-day cricket with a program of practise sessions planned, culminating in a two-day game against Durham, as they look towards their season opener against Surrey at the Kia Oval, which begins on Thursday 5th April.

Sussex’s Professional Cricket Manager Mark Robinson said, “Guaranteeing being able to play on good wickets against good opposition in good weather is a key commodity in pre-season, and we’re grateful to our sponsors for not making us rely on the unpredictable English weather during this vital time.”

Sussex supporters can win a trip for two to Dubai to watch the Emirates Airline Twenty20 by visiting the Sport Arabia Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sportarabia

]]> 1.3542402 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:15:58 +0000 http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/athletics_news_1_3534684

OVER six events taking place across East Sussex through the winter Lewes AC emerged as the overall league winners. With events taking place from Eastbourne to Wadhurst, and 12 teams competing in all weathers, the cross country league presents a challenge to both runners and clubs alike. It is therefore a great achievement for Lewes AC to come out top at the end of the series.

The team and individual awards were made after the last event which took place at Snapes Wood at Wadhurst. With in excess of 30 awards being presented Lewes runners took a third of the individual awards together with the league team ward. Taking pride of place in the individual awards were the gold medal winners of John Lowden in the over 50 men category and Anita Amies in the women over 55 category. The silver medal winners were Mat Homewood (men over 40) Simon Thomas (men over 50) Bob Hughes (men over 60) Alf Pollard (men over 65) Maria Judd (women over 45). The club’s bronze medal winners were Mike Lane (men over 65) Sally Norris (senior women) and Catherine Swinson (women over 45).

In the last event at Snapes Wood, five miles across snowy fields and through and around a hilly wood, Lewes had 22 runners. First for Lewes in 12th position was Tim Calliafas in a time of 35.55. Others were: Colin Bennett (M40 16th 37.35); Mat Homewood (M40 23rd 38.34); Maria Judd (24th and first W45 38.40); Alan Jackson (M40 26th 38.54); Gerard Dummett (M40 -27th 38.59); Sally Norris (SW 34th and third SW 40.10); Tony Deacon (M50 38th 41.21); Simon Roberts (M50 39th 41.24); Catherine Swinson (W45 43rd and third W45 42.08); Chris Hunt (M40 45th 42.36); David Foster (M40 48th 42.46); Tim Monson (M50 51st 43.07); Bob Hughes (M60 55th 44.13); Karin Divall (F45 57th 44.31); Carol Waters (W45 60th 44.54); Beth Gasgoyne (SW 63rd 45.43); Mike lane (M65 67th 47.03); Colin Brown (SM 69th 48.23); Andrea Ingram (W45 72nd 49.31); Toby Wolpe (M50 74th 49.52) and Anita Amies (W55 79th 51.43).