TIM DREW: Anti-social behaviour concerns referred to PCC

Following concerns raised during its latest meeting (March 31) at the level of anti-social behaviour seen on the seafront and in the town centre, and the reduction in the numbers of neighbourhood police officers within the area, the Central Ward Neighbourhood Panel has referred these concerns to the police and crime commissioner for Sussex.

The meeting was dominated by reports of anti-social behaviour, at day and night, by drunks, drug users and beggars.

Many had been using offensive language and one attendee had been treated to “a choice selection” of verbiage when he refused to give to a beggar after being accosted outside Tesco.

Whilst it was acknowledged that the Neighbourhood Policing Team was doing its best to cope in the face of reduced numbers due to severe budget cuts, attendees did not feel safe going out after dark and this had resulted in properties becoming difficult to sell.

Meanwhile, Action Fraud has warned of fraudsters who target members of the public who have recently had repairs completed at their properties.

They do this by sending an email to their intended victim pretending to be the tradesman who carried out the work, and they use a similar email address to that of the genuine tradesman.

They will ask for funds to be transferred via bank transfer and once payment is made the victims of the fraud soon realise that they have been deceived when the genuine tradesmen request payment for their services.

A request to send money by bank transfer should ring alarm bells immediately because this offers no financial protection, but Action Fraud’s advice is to check the email address is exactly the same as previous correspondence with the genuine contact and, for any request of payment via email, verify the validity of the request with a phone call to the person who carried out the work.

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