Thousands of pounds’ worth of items stolen in a week in rural crime incidents across the county
More than £57,000 worth of items were stolen or damaged in rural crime incidents across Sussex in a single week, police have revealed.
The figure was included in the latest Sussex Country Watch Newsletter, published on behalf of Sussex Police for the first time in recent months .
The newsletter is usually produced weekly but its author said there had been difficulty accessing material due to Covid restrictions at police premises.
The following incidents were reported in West Sussex between September 6 and 12:
September 6
- Premises in Chichester Road, Chichester, were entered and an outbuilding broken into. A vehicle was forcefully entered, causing £5,000.00 of damage, and the GPS satellite system used on earth-moving equipment was stolen. GPS valued at £30,000.
- An outbuilding of a farm in House Lane, Pulborough was entered and a Honda 4WD quad bike stolen. VIN: 478TE25U11AQ101316. Engine number: 3066021TE25E.
- Two dogs were captured on land off Handcross Road, Haywards Heath, attacking sheep. Six sheep died in the attack. The owners of the dogs were identified. Police enquiries are ongoing.
September 7
A dog chased and attacked a sheep in a field in Coombes, Lancing. The owner managed to catch it and has agreed to pay any damages.
- A bundle of papers were ignited in the porch of St
Mary’s Church, in Church Lane, Walberton.
September 8
- A farm in Steyning Road, Shoreham, was entered overnight and a shipping container broken into. A number of tools were stolen, including four Stihl bush cutters, six Stihl chainsaws, one Stihl leaf blower, one Stihl hedge cutter, one Stihl longreach hedge cutter and one strong box that the tools were stored in.
Total cost, including a damaged lock, was £6,650. September 10
- Outbuildings of a farm in Houghton, Arundel, were forcefully entered and tools valued at £5,000 stolen.
- A farm in Stane Street, Pulborough, was forcefully entered and a four-wheel drive Mule and a jet wash were stolen. Valued at £4,000.
September 12
- Reports of night hawking with metal detectors in a restricted place in the Worthing area
The reported number of loose animals on the highway between September 6 and 12 was 102, made up of 100 sheep and two horses.
The newsletter called on anyone with information on any of the incidents listed to get in touch.
It said: “If you have any evidence, no matter how small, on any of the crimes listed, please call it in on the nonemergency number 101.”
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111