27th June 20205

Dear Resident

Please see this months newsletter, which includes recent appeals , news and crime prevention advice .

Witness appeal following serious assault in Crawley

Police are appealing for witnesses and information following a serious assault in Crawley.

Emergency services were called shortly after 4.30am on Thursday, 19 June, to a report of a 22-year-old man found with stab wounds in Valley Drive, Crawley.

The victim reported being assaulted at Three Bridges railway station, with the suspect believed to have fled in the direction of Somerley Drive. He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.

A search of the area was carried out by officers, including an armed response unit, but no arrests have been made at this time. A visible police presence remains in the area while enquiries continue.

It is believed the incident happened between 12am and 4.30am. Officers are urging anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen anything suspicious or have relevant information to come forward.

Police are seeking any CCTV or dashcam footage from Valley Drive and Somerley Drive captured between 12am and 4.30am on Thursday, 19 June.

Reports can be made online, or by calling 101 quoting reference 178 of 19/06.

Appeal for witnesses after series of incidents involving weapons in Crawley

We are aware of a number of incidents involving weapons that took place on Tuesday (17 June) and overnight on Wednesday (18 June) into Thursday (19 June) in the Langley Green area of Crawley.

These incidents have involved reports of criminal damage and threats involving young people with weapons.

Sergeant Darius Caldwell said: “We understand the impact these kinds of incidents have on the community, and we are carrying out a number of enquiries to locate those involved in this criminality.

“There will be an increased police presence in the area.”

Officers are appealing for witnesses and anyone who has relevant information such as CCTV or mobile footage to come forward.

Information can be reported to online or by dialling 101, quoting Operation Veil.

Charged

Man charged after spate of shoplifting at the Co-Op in Maidenbower, Crawley

A 32-year-old local man has been charged after persistent shoplifting at the Co-Op in Maidenbower, Crawley.

Simon Rogers-Davis, of Lucas Close, Maidenbower, was charged with the seven thefts and will appear before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 18 July. He has been bailed with conditions not to enter the store unsupervised.

The arrest and charge follows partnership work between the Co-Op, the Neighbourhood Policing Team, divisional response officers and the Business Crime Team.

Sussex Police continues to work with its partners to combat business crime by preventing offending and holding perpetrators to account. 

Crawley man sentenced to nine years for two serious assaults

A man has been sentenced to a total of nine years in prison following two violent assaults in Sussex pubs.

Luke Boughey, 46, of Stephenson Way, Crawley, was convicted of two counts of Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) with intent after separate incidents in Crawley and Burgess Hill in 2022.

He was sentenced on 9 May, at Hove Crown Court, following a week-long trial which began on 3 March.

The first incident occurred on 11 August 2022 at the White Heart Pub in Crawley. Boughey assaulted a man with a pool cue following a disagreement over a game of pool. The victim suffered swelling and bruising to the face and head, along with a bleed to the brain. Boughey received a four-year sentence for this assault.

The second incident took place on 13 November 2022 at the Brewers Pub in Burgess Hill. Boughey struck another man in the face with a pool cue while the victim was speaking to a friend. The victim sustained a fractured cheek bone in three places. He was sentenced to five years for this assault.

Boughey will serve his sentences consecutively.

DC Ellie Mannan, from the Crawley Investigations Team, said: “This was a shocking and violent pattern of behaviour that left two individuals with serious injuries.

“Violence of this nature will not be tolerated in our communities, and we hope this sentence brings some justice to the victims involved.”

Chief Constable Jo Shiner awarded King’s Police Medal in Birthday Honours

Following the announcement of the King’s Birthday Honours we are delighted to confirm that Sussex Chief Constable Jo Shiner has been awarded the King’s Police Medal (KPM).

Jo became the force’s ninth Chief Constable in July 2020 and the first female Chief Constable in the history of Sussex Police. 

She has served as a police officer for more than 32 years and remains committed to ensuring the public of Sussex receive a police service that is professional, effective and fair, and puts the needs of the community first.

The medal recognises her distinguished services to policing which started in Norfolk in 1993, where she was promoted through a range of operational roles both in uniform, Specialist Operations and as a detective in the Public Protection Unit and CID. 

Read more here 

Crime Prevention advice 

Out this weekend? Your safety is important to us.

Stay vigilant – keep an eye on your drink. Spikers could also add drugs to food, or tamper with vapes.

Stick together – look out for your friends

Recognise warning signs – if you or someone you are with experiences extreme drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, take it seriously and alert staff.

Trust your gut – if something feels off, alert staff and seek some help.

Report incidents – if you suspect spiking, report it to the police or inform staff.

WThis Summer we're sharing the advice of Counter Terrorism Policing so everyone can enjoy their Summer safely.

Staying safe at gigs & festivals:

Counter Terrorism Policing wants live music fans to #BeSafeBeSound, as it collaborates with the UK’s biggest music venues, arena’s and festivals to deliver vital safety advice to the public.

Are you heading to a gig or festival? Have an amazing time, but if you see something that doesn’t feel right, report it to security staff straight away.

 

Preventing car and vehicle theft

Don't let thieves get an easy ride. Follow these simple rules here to protect your vehicle from thieves. 

Have a good weekend 

Trisha

Contact Us For non-emergency incidents or crime prevention advice, click www.sussex.police.uk, (If you report a crime online, we will assess it in the same way as a 101 call). Call 101 when you do not require an urgent response. In an emergency when life is threatened or there is immediate danger always call 999. Speak to us face-to-face at a police station or contact the local policing team at www.sussex.police.uk/area/your-area. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired, you can contact us using TypeTalk on 18000 or by sending a text to 65999.