Pensioners repeatedly threatened at car park

A Selsey resident has spoken of frustration and anger following a spate of anti-social behaviour at Marine Car Park.

Geoff Budd, 74, said he and his wife were threatened with physical abuse on both bank holiday weekends.

Geoff said there were three similar incidents, all when the car park was closed to the public.

He said: “I am beyond being frustrated and very angry.

“Why wasn’t the car park ready to open for the expected flock of visitors? It beggars belief.

“The councils and parking authorities have done nothing at all to mitigate these issues just letting the residents suffer.

“We have had groups of people turning the end of the road into pub beer gardens on every weekend so far, not acceptable.”

Selsey Town Council (STC) said that all district council car parks are now ‘fully operational, which should ‘alleviate problems’ regarding on street parking.

However, the town council said it was saddened by the anti-social behaviour ‘experienced by some residents during the recent hot weather’.

A spokesperson said: “Selsey benefits from a fulltime community warden, which STC contribute to, and we would urge residents with issues to get in touch him, Neil Hill, on 07768 206974.

“Equally, we would always encourage anyone experiencing or witnessing anti-social or criminal activity to report this via the Sussex Police website (dial 999 if the activity presents an immediate threat or danger).”

Council parking patrols in coastal areas have also been stepped up in response to an increase in ‘dangerous and obstructive parking’.

Chichester District Council said that, over the last two weeks, it has issued almost 300 parking charge notices, with 85 of these issued in the coastal area over the past weekend.

A spokesperson said: “We are continuing to prioritise the coastal area for parking enforcement and have also been liaising with the police.”