Police pledge to tackle rising Bognor Regis crime

Inspector Nick Bowman, who heads the neighbourhood policing team in Arun, said officers were committed to reducing a four per cent increase in offences.

“There has been an increase of crime across the district,” he said.

“There has been a four per cent increase in Bognor Regis, with Littlehampton seeing a rise of 14 per cent.”

The police intend to repeat their successes with operations aimed at combating certain types of crime.

These include Operation Peapod in response to break-ins, which has resulted in many arrests, and Operation Impact which tackles drug and property crime.

Forty-seven law-breaking drivers were recently stopped in Aldwick for Operation Airwalk.

Operation Phoenix, which deals with anti-social behaviour, has led to some 720 litres of alcohol being confiscated in Arun.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “We would like to reassure the public other directed patrols are in place for incidents other than those mentioned and we are dedicated to improving crime figures in Arun.

“We cannot do this without the public’s help.

“Calls and visits are made by officers regarding information reported and to victims of crime to follow up on intelligence and advice.

“This is alongside house-to-house inquiries where possible, again to follow up on lines of inquiries.

“There have been more calls from residents on suspicious persons, vehicles, addresses and incidents that have helped towards people being stopped and arrested.”

Insp Bowman told Aldwick Parish Council last Monday there had been 53 more crimes reported this year compared with the same timeframe last year.

“The increase of crimes this year in Aldwick is by no means unique,” he said.

“Bersted has seen an increase of 107 crimes, Hotham 75, Marine 31 and Felpham East 36.”

He told councillors their parish would benefit from an extra community support officer.

“PCSO Aaron Owen will move over to cover part of the parish,” he said.

“PCSO Bill Prior will solely cover Pagham and Aldwick West, with Aaron covering Pevensey and Aldwick East. I hope this will allow for crimes such as anti-social behaviour and vandalism to be dealt with.”