Drug dealers beware: We're coming after you

The number of community policing officers serving the town is being doubled.

The previous number of four PCs is about to increase to eight, and a third sergeant is also set to join the existing pair.

The extra numbers represent an annual investment of about 125,000 in law and order.

The new officers are in addition to the 15-strong network of police community support officers who cover the area from Pagham to Elmer.

One of the officers, PC Gary Stevens, said the extra numbers would allow more work to be done targeting those who sold and used drugs.

"A large part of our role is getting information from members of the public," he said. "They tell us of people they suspect of dealing in drugs.

"Having more police officers allows us to get more information. That allows us to apply for more warrants.

"We are already finding we can get warrants executed more quickly. Most of the warrants we deal with are concerned with drug offences. They are mainly young people involved with cannabis."

PC Stevens, 29, is responsible for the Pagham, Aldwick and Rose Green areas along with a small team of PCSOs.

The extra police presence means his area is only half the size of his predecessor, offering more scope for enforcing law and order. He is already working to stop drinkers gathering in Marine Park Gardens.

He spent three-and-a-half years on the 999 police response teams around Bognor, the only town where he has worked in the police. He moved across to community policing a few weeks ago.

His colleague, PC Jon Berisford, 33, has also moved after more than five years on the 999 team. He started community policing around the town centre last week.

"There is a different challenge doing this policing work. I will certainly get to know the town centre better," he said.

"I am already starting to see things from a different perspective and, hopefully, will get to know the people and places better.

"Now there are more of us we will be a more visible presence. We will be able to deal with more enforcement.

"I like to think we will be approachable and, because we will be out and about more often, it will encourage people to speak to us."

The other new members of the community policing team are PC Russell Felgate, who has also switched from the Bognor 999 team, and PC Andrea Beard.

She will be joining in the next few months from Chichester. The additional sergeant has yet to be appointed.

Bognor-based Inspector Sharon Parker, who is in charge of community policing in the Arun district, said: "To have four new PCs is the biggest increase in policing Bognor has seen for quite a long time.

"This will support the delivery of work which really matters to people, such as speeding tickets, which police community support officers can't issue.

"It will provide extra support around prevention, education and enforcement the community wants and deserves."

New officers have been recruited for the 999 policing team to replace those who have left..