Action plan to tackle crime in central St Leonards

Police officers, councillors, the crime commissioner and the MP met to discuss crime in the Kings Road area on Friday (October 14).

From the meeting, an action plan will be developed to deal with various issues as well as a designated youth liaison police officer.

Hastings Borough Council leader Peter Chowney said: “It was an excellent meeting. I am pleased that the issue of crime in the Kings Road area of St Leonards is being taken seriously by all of the organisations involved in the prevention of crime in this area.

“We will now be working closely with all our partners to develop an action plan that will help deal with the various issues identified at the meeting. We will produce this as soon as possible.”

Amber Rudd MP said she was pleased to hear councillors’ and the community’s concerns first hand, and believes the action plan ‘will give a clear way forward and allay crime fears.

Assistant Chief Constable Laurence Taylor, who is responsible for local policing and public protection, led a team of police officers at the meeting.

“I know Hastings well, and understand how important it is to deal with the concerns held by the local community here, a focus which currently relates to crimes committed by some young people,” he said.

“We are committed to appointing a police officer to act as a youth liaison with partners in Hastings.

“They will concentrate their efforts in St Leonards initially.”

Anti-social behaviour is a real concern for residents of central St Leonards, according to Sussex police and crime commissioner Katy Bourne.

“I will continue to work hard to ensure that Sussex Police do all that is required of them in the action plan that is being developed,” she said.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hastingsobserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @HastingsObs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Hastings Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.