Concern over crime levels
A former councillor has called for Selsey’s police station to be reopened after being left ‘gobsmacked’ at crime levels in the town.
A former councillor left ‘gobsmacked’ by crime levels in Selsey is calling for the police station to be reopened and a greater police presence in the town.
Nick Rose wants police to do more to prevent and respond to crimes in Selsey – which he said included burglaries, break-ins, drugs offences and anti-social behaviour.
The 51-year-old, who was previously a councillor for Bournemouth Borough Council and is also a children’s author, moved to Selsey this year and said he was shocked by how much crime there was. “It’s just crazy,” he said. “People feel that antisocial behaviour is rife, because no one will do anything about it.”
Mr Rose said he had never seen police patrolling the streets, and claimed officers would not do anything about crime reports unless the victim could provide clear CCTV footage.
He was so ‘ fed up’ that he contacted Katy Bourne, the police and crime commissioner for Sussex,
and discussed the issue with her via zoom. Mr Rose also asked residents to contact him with their concerns, and said he had ‘dozens’ of responses.
As to the solution, he said: “We need the police station in Selsey reopened and a 24hour police presence. We need a team who know the area, who are always there.”
Mr Rose has since met Chief Inspector Jon Carter, the district commander for Arun and Chichester, who said he was already taking steps to deal with the issues Mr Rose raised. Chief Inspector Carter said: “Decisions do have to be
made about how finite police resources are used and where they are based. We constantly try to strike the right balance between responding to the largely hidden crimes that put people at serious risk, such as domestic violence and County Lines, while providing the visible policing that we know provides public reassurance.
“We are now re-investing in local policing, including with extra police officers and PCSOS, and Selsey has a strong neighbourhood policing team. The team is working to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour in the area.”