Public has part to play in fight against crime in Worthing

The ongoing problems surrounding the temporary accommodation hub for homeless people in Lyndhurst Road, and a sense of helplessness amidst what was perceived to be a deteriorating situation within the area, dominated proceedings at last Tuesday's public meeting at the East Worthing Community Centre.
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Both John Holmstrom, chief executive of Worthing Churches Homeless Projects, and Inspector Allan Lowe urged the need to report problems so that these can be confronted and doing this is key to their solution.

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Whether we are Neighbourhood Watch members or not, we are the eyes and ears of the community and, as citizens, it is our responsibility to play our part in the fight against crime and the fear of crime on a continuous basis.

A community champion to liaise with police and Worthing Churches Homless Projects has been suggested to try to help solve problems in Lyndhurst RoadA community champion to liaise with police and Worthing Churches Homless Projects has been suggested to try to help solve problems in Lyndhurst Road
A community champion to liaise with police and Worthing Churches Homless Projects has been suggested to try to help solve problems in Lyndhurst Road

As councillor Roger Oakley said at a previous meeting, councillors cannot be expected to do everything and we must be prepared to act in our own interests and those of the community as a whole.

Once again, long delays in getting through to a call handler when using the 101 non-emergency number were reported – but why use this method of communication when you can report online in a fraction of the time?

Problems such as those involving noise are not dealt with by the police but by the council, which provides an out-of-hours service for emergency noise problems.

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The idea of a community champion to act as a regular liaison point with the police and Worthing Churches Homeless Projects, as suggested by councillor Rebecca Cooper, makes sense when grappling with a difficult and complex situation where the interests of the community have to be balanced with the statutory requirement to provide housing for homeless and often traumatised individuals, but it remains to be seen whether anyone is prepared to take on such a role.

Tim DrewTim Drew
Tim Drew

The Tarring Community Forum will meet on Tuesday, September 11.

• For more information about the Worthing & Adur Neighbourhood Watch Associations click here.

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