Bognor seafront shelter faces an uncertain future

Concern is mounting over rough sleepers and anti-social behaviour in the shelter opposite Kings Court '“ prompting calls for action.

"Residents have told us that when they wake up in the morning and pull back the curtains the people in the shelter just wave at them," said Bognor town councillor Jeanette Warr.

"There have also been complaints about the smell coming round from the building and it has to be hosed down every morning.

"The worrying thing is that people seem to be intimidated by what goes on in the shelter. People who want to use it for what it was intended for are too scared to do so, and that is not right."

Following an invitation from a resident, Cllr Warr, fellow town councillor Paul Wells and district councillor Paul Wotherspoon attended a meeting on Saturday to discuss the situation.

"Residents brought to our attention the issue of rough sleepers and drinking in the seafront shelter, they also highlighted concerns about other anti-social type behaviour in the area," Cllr Paul Wells said.

"People who live along the seafront have previously complained about the issue and the meeting was an opportunity to put forward options and a chance for them to voice opinions."

During the meeting, a number of possible solutions regarding the future of the structure were put forward.

Cllr Wells said: "Several options were discussed. The key thing was that we need to make the area more unattractive for the perpetrators of the anti-social behaviour.

"One suggestion was to remove the shelter altogether.

"But that is not something I believe would solve the problem. It would simply move the issue to another place."

Other options discussed included turning the shelter into toilet facilities and working in coalition with The Safer Arun Partnership to help solve the problem.

The Safer Arun Partnership has been responsible for launching several successful initiatives in the town as it works to develop and implement three-year strategies to reduce crime and disorder.

Cllr Wells said: "The only way this issue can be resolved is with the help of the community. It is very much a community issue and we are appealing for their help in finding a solution."

Concerns regarding rough sleepers and anti-social behaviour on the seafront was raised at a Joint Western Arun Area Committee in July by Peter Coles, from the regeneration group, Brighter Bognor.

Following Mr Coles concerns about the number of rough sleepers on the seafront. A number of committee members agreed that this was a serious issue of local concern, and something the Committee should look into.

A public meeting to discuss the issue further will be held at Bognor Regis Town Hall on October 23 at 6.30pm.