Police under fire for how it deals with Littlehampton drunks

THE head of Littlehampton’s Neighbourhood Watch has criticised Sussex Police for the way it deals with drunks in Littlehampton.
Richard Gray has received an ASBO banning him from drinking alcohol in any place of worship in SussexRichard Gray has received an ASBO banning him from drinking alcohol in any place of worship in Sussex
Richard Gray has received an ASBO banning him from drinking alcohol in any place of worship in Sussex

In an email to Arun District commander Chief Inspector Pip Taylor, Mike Cullern, chairman of the neighbour-hood watch, said some ‘serious reflection on current practices by the police’ were needed.

His criticism follows the announcement that a prolific street drinker, who regularly abuses churchgoers in Littlehampton and Worthing, had received an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO).

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Police said they had received almost 30 reports in the past six months of Richard Gray, 45, of no fixed abode, abusing churchgoers.

Mr Cullern welcomed this news. However, he explained to CI Taylor that the bigger problem remained in the town’s central wards, He argued that more still needed to be done to address this.

In his email, Mr Cullern said: “Reading the text of this police message it would appear that the local churches hold more sway than the local populace with regard to persistent drunkenness and anti-social behaviour, however, it is now to be hoped in the light of this ASBO that similar action will be taken against the remaining members of this minority group to finally rid this town of their unwanted presence.

“This has been an ongoing issue for many years, despite police assurances at our local meetings, that local by-laws and current police powers were sufficient to rid Littlehampton of this persistent problem, the town needs to attract visitors and business and not have them driven away by an unsociable element.”

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He added: “Our group is attempting to bring the town’s various communities together through a four-year, planned community integration programme, however it would appear the regulatory authorities are more intent on maintaining a divisive community by ignoring the anti-social behaviour of a minority group.”

CI Taylor said she felt Mr Cullern’s comments were ‘not a true reflection’ of the work the police are doing.

She said: “This is just one example of excellent partnership working dealing with persistent anti-social behaviour and it deserves to be publicised and recognised in the media.”

The Sensible on Strength campaign, which launched last month, aims to combat drunkenness in the town centre and is backed by Sussex Police, among others.

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n Gray appeared at Chichester Magistrates Court on August 22 and received the order for five years for using threatening, abusive, intimidating behaviour or language which had caused harassment, alarm or distress.

The order means he can’t enter or be in the grounds of St Mary’s Church, Climping, St Mary’s Church, Yapton, Church of St Mary Magdalene, Lyminster, Convent of Poor Claire’s, Arundel, St Andrew’s Church, Ferring, St Mary’s Church, Compton Avenue, Goring, Goring-by-Sea Methodist Church, English Martyrs Catholic Church, Goring and Hurst Avenue, Worthing.

He is not allowed to drink alcohol in the grounds of any places of worship in West Sussex or have any open alcohol containers in a public place.

The order will last until August 21, 2019.

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