16th April 2025

Good evening Residents 

In April's newsletter, I will provide a round up of Adur and Worthing news and apepeals from Sussex Police, along with crime prevention and support signposting. If you're looking at changing your career, I have also included the link to the Sussex Police jobs page where you can find a range of police officer, staff and volunteer opportunities. 

Appeal after assault on man in Horsham

Police are appealing for witnesses and information after a man was assaulted in Horsham.

The incident happened in Rookfield Road, near the A264 Crawley Road, between 5pm and 6pm on 28 March.

The victim, a 23-year-old local man, sustained injuries and reported being approached by two men from a white BMW.

One of the men assaulted him.

Officers are investigating and want witnesses or anyone in the area at the time to come forward, including those driving in the area with dashcams.

Information can be reported to Sussex Police online, quoting serial 1473 of 28/03.

Appeal after disturbance at an address in Horsham

Police are appealing for witnesses and information after a disturbance in Horsham.

Officers were called to a block of flats in Arthur Road, Horsham, at about 3am on Monday 7 April.

A number of people are reported to have smashed a window from the property before making off from the scene.

The investigation is ongoing, and there has been an increased police presence at the block of flats to provide further reassurance.

Witnesses or anyone with information, including CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage in the area at the time is asked to report it to us.

Information can be reported on the Sussex Police website or by calling 101 and quote serial 92 of 07/04.

Anyone with concerns about ongoing anti-social behaviour is also encouraged to report it to Sussex Police, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report online to crimestoppers-uk.org.

Appeal after man threatened in Horsham

Police are appealing for information after an altercation in Horsham

Police were called over the incident in Lambs Farm Road, near the junction with Farhalls Crescent, at 12.20pm on March 28.

The victim, a man aged 44, reported being approached by another man and threatened.

Officers attended, and the suspect’s vehicle, a white Ford Transit van, was located nearby, but the suspect had left the area.

Now, anyone who saw what happened by the shops in the area, including those with CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage, is asked to come forward.

Information can be reported to Sussex Police online, quoting serial 613 of 28/03.

Witnesses sought following fatal collision in Amberley

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision in Amberley.

Emergency services were called to the B2139 Turnpike Road, near the junction with Newland Gardens, around 5.30pm on Sunday (30 March) following reports of a collision involving a motorbike and a van.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics and air ambulance crews, the motorcyclist – a 66-year-old man from Kent – sadly died at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.

Officers investigating the circumstances of the collision would like to speak to any witnesses, or anyone who may have captured any dashcam footage from the area at the time.

Anyone with information is asked to email collision.appeal@sussex.police.uk or call 101 quoting Operation Circe.

The road was closed for a number of hours to allow collision investigation work to be completed. It has since reopened, and the public are thanked for their patience and understanding while this was ongoing.

Man charged with sexual assault in Horsham

Police have charged a man in connection with a sexual assault on a woman in Horsham on Saturday (5 April).

Officers were called to a path near Rookwood Golf Course in Robin Hood Lane at around 11.40am by a member of the public assisting a woman in distress.

The woman, who is in her 20s, reported being sexually assaulted by a man at around 11.30am while she was walking her dogs.

An urgent search of the area was carried out and 42-year-old William Cooley, of Brighton Road in Crawley, was arrested nearby at 11.55am.

You can read more here - https://www.sussex.police.uk/news/sussex/news/news/man-charged-with-sexual-assault-in-horsham/

BikesSafe workshops launched for Sussex motorcycle riders

Motorcycle riders are invited to book their place in safety workshops for advanced riding techniques in Sussex.

The Sussex BikeSafe scheme offers the sessions in the county to help improve safety on our roads.

The scheme is a national police-led initiative which seeks to engage with motorcyclists in a conflict free environment in an attempt to reduce those killed or seriously injured on the roads.

The aim is to give riders an insight into what can be achieved by exploring advanced riding techniques, whether it’s a shiny cruiser or a tricked up sports machine.

The Sussex BikeSafe scheme is for all, and sessions run from 8am to 12.30pm or from 1pm to 5.30pm from April 6.

To find out more about the scheme or to book, visit the https://bikesafe.co.uk/sussex/ website.

Enquiries ongoing following Steyning sexual assault

The investigation following the sexual assault of a teenager in a Steyning churchyard continues.

On Thursday, March 27, a report was made to police that a 15-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted in the grounds of St Andrew and St Cuthman Church in Vicarage Lane.

The following day, a 19-year-old man from Worthing was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and kidnap.

He has since been released on police bail with strict conditions, pending further enquiries.

We can confirm that we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation at this time.

You can read more here - https://www.sussex.police.uk/news/sussex/news/news/enquiries-ongoing-following-steyning-sexual-assault/

Surveys

Operation Downsway

Help us to understand road safety issues that are impacting your community.

You can help us by filling in this survey and telling us what’s happening on the roads in your local area.

This information will help us build a picture of where we need to tackle road safety issues and how we monitor our summer road safety intensification, Operation Downsway.

This year, between April and September officers from teams across the force will take part in the dedicated operation, providing a highly visible and unmarked presence on the road network in Surrey and Sussex, engaging, educating, and taking enforcement action where necessary.

By engaging with road users, we aim to continue to reduce the number of collisions and deaths on our roads.

The survey will be live for the whole of April.

Link to Survey https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/BJUMAK/

Antisocial Behaviour Survey

Horsham District - we want to hear from you!

Horsham's Neighbourhood Policing Team is working in collaboration with Horsham District Council's Community Safety Partnership and we want to understand more about the antisocial behaviour (ASB) you experience.

Your feedback will enable us to understand more about our communities experiences of ASB directly and you can have your say here https://forms.office.com/e/C9M9JW9F9W

You can find a range of advice and information including how to report a crime, concern for welfare, crime prevention and support here https://www.sussex.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/

ATM Theft

Protect yourself from ATM theft 

- It’s a good idea to scan the area around ATMs before you use them.
- Be aware of anyone standing close by and always check the machine to see if it’s been tampered with before you use it.
- If it doesn't look right, steer clear and go inside a bank where possible
- Keep a regular check on your transactions
- When you've left the ATM, put your card aware immediately!

Op Magpie - Keep your home safe

Protect your home by protecting your garden 

Here are some security tips to protect your outdoor space from opportunist burglars looking for a way in.

Let there be light - Consider installing security lights both to illuminate your garden and deter thieves. Motion sensor lights switch on when movement is detected, sodium tubes switch on automatically when it becomes dark.

Beautiful boundaries - Keep shrubs, bushes, hedges and plants cut back as they can provide a hiding place for thieves. Check that all boundary fences, walls and gates are in good repair. A solid barrier is an excellent deterrent to an opportunist thief.

Lock it up - Prevent burglars from breaking into your shed or outbuilding by using a good quality lock or padlock, consider covering windows with mesh and protect what’s inside.

Find advice on all aspects of home security here https://www.sussex.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Orlo

Don’t let burglars ruin your garden sanctuary.

Information Resources

Have you heard of StayWise?

Their FREE online library is packed full of educational resources and activities from the UK’s leading emergency services and safety-focused organisations making it easy for you to find trusted materials that provide learning opportunities to help keep children safe.

From interactive games to storybooks, you’ll find loads of fun activities that will help you learn how to keep safe.

Find out more here https://staywise.co.uk/public

StreetSafe

StreetSafe is a service that allows you to report safety concerns in public places without giving us your name (anonymously). This includes issues like poorly lit streets, abandoned buildings, or vandalism, as well as instances where you feel unsafe due to someone following or verbally abusing you.

Please note: StreetSafe is not for reporting crimes or emergencies. If you witness a crime please report it to us online. If you're unsure whether something is a crime or not, read our advice.

Examples of situations that should be reported to StreetSafe include a poorly lit alleyway that makes you feel unsafe or a park with broken equipment that poses a safety hazard.

CAREERS

If you're looking at a new career that is challenging and rewarding, then visit our careers page here https://www.sussex.police.uk/police-forces/sussex-police/areas/careers/jobs/

Kind regards

Kelly