Patrols stepped up around anti-social behaviour hotspots

The extra presence of police officers and police community support officers has targeted Marine Drive West and the West Meads Precinct.

Both sites had seen a surge in criminal damage and behaviour during the winter.

They were highlighted during the monthly meetings of the Aldwick neighbourhood management forum of community representatives.

PSCO Nick Baker said the extra patrols had increased visibility of the police and provided a reassurance to law-abiding residents.

The priorities had been tackled differently. For Marine Drive West, they were aimed at the eastern end of the beach huts next to the Aldwick Boat Pound.

These had been damaged in the past few weeks. "Since we have increased patrols, we have seen a significant decrease in damage to the huts," he wrote this week. "The local patrols will still continue."

For West Meads, the priority was to reduce the number of incidents relating to anti-social behaviour caused by large groups of youths which gathered around the community hall at The Precinct's northern end.

"We increased patrols specifically targeting the area at the days and times groups are being reported," stated PCSO Baker.

"Intervention with the youth groups have identified that the majority of youths are not local to the area.

"Details of these youths have been passed to our colleagues to address individual behaviour within the wards where the children live.

"Letters have also been sent to individual homes by the Anti-Social Behaviour Team from Arun District Council.

"The increased high visibility and early intervention has resulted in a reduction in complaints and the number of youths gathering."

A third priority set by the forum was to reduce speeding traffic along Lower Bognor Road.

PCSO Baker explained that Speed Indication Devices had been used along the road. These had seen the traffic speed reduced to the legal limit. "Close monitoring will continue," he added.

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