Seasonal workers due to arrive in the town soon

POLICE officers in Bognor Regis are gearing up for an influx of migrant workers.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Mar 2013, 10:00 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:17 BST

They estimate the seasonal arrival of those from overseas could take the town’s population from countries such as those in Eastern Europe to 13,000-plus in the summer.

Inspector Nick Bowman, who is in charge of community policing at the town’s police station, said: “We are coming towards the warmer weather and an increase in seasonal workers.

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“We estimate there are 4,500 migrant workers who live and work here and play a part in our community in Bognor.

“With seasonal workers, mainly farm workers, we anticipate between 6,000-9,000 extra people on top of the 4,500 coming here.”

That brought various social problems and policing issues. Meetings were being held with councils, voluntary groups and charities to make sure the correct planning to prepare for the migrants’ arrival was made, Insp Bowman told the joint western Arun area committee last Wednesday.

The police’s Operation Accent for the Eastern European communities was still working fully to reduce vulnerability among those from overseas, he added.