Police car reminds party-goers they have a choice

REVELLERS in Worthing town centre may have noticed a few changes to the scenery on their night out over the weekend.
From L-R: PCSO Mitchell, Worthing Neighbourhood Policing Team Rhian Francis, Partnership Co-ordinator, Adur and Worthing Councils Chief Inspector Jo Banks, District Commander, Adur and WorthingFrom L-R: PCSO Mitchell, Worthing Neighbourhood Policing Team Rhian Francis, Partnership Co-ordinator, Adur and Worthing Councils Chief Inspector Jo Banks, District Commander, Adur and Worthing
From L-R: PCSO Mitchell, Worthing Neighbourhood Policing Team Rhian Francis, Partnership Co-ordinator, Adur and Worthing Councils Chief Inspector Jo Banks, District Commander, Adur and Worthing

Sussex police, in partnership with the safer communities partnership team, the fire service and street pastors, aimed to prevent irresponsible behaviour through drink by making people aware of the consequences of their actions.

The ‘choose your ride car’, a decommissioned police car repainted as half taxi, half police car, was left in South Street Square to remind people they had the option to decide how their night ended.

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Adur and Worthing District Commander Jo Banks said: “The vehicle prompted many people to stop and to talk to officers. This gave us the ideal opportunity to educate, inform and create more awareness. As the car was decommissioned it also kept cost to a minimum.”

From L-R: PCSO Mitchell, Worthing Neighbourhood Policing Team Rhian Francis, Partnership Co-ordinator, Adur and Worthing Councils Chief Inspector Jo Banks, District Commander, Adur and WorthingFrom L-R: PCSO Mitchell, Worthing Neighbourhood Policing Team Rhian Francis, Partnership Co-ordinator, Adur and Worthing Councils Chief Inspector Jo Banks, District Commander, Adur and Worthing
From L-R: PCSO Mitchell, Worthing Neighbourhood Policing Team Rhian Francis, Partnership Co-ordinator, Adur and Worthing Councils Chief Inspector Jo Banks, District Commander, Adur and Worthing

The ‘taxi’ seemed to split opinion among the public.

Mandy Fitzpatrick, 45, of Hayley Road, Lancing, said: “I think it’s a brilliant idea. I think people who have been drinking should get a taxi.”

Mandy’s daughter, Shannon Fitzpatrick, 19, added: “It’s a very good idea but I always have a designated driver anyway.”

However Darren Young, 44, of Rowan Way, Angmering, said he did not get it at all and claimed the ‘choose your ride’ message emblazoned on the bottom of the taxi was too small and had to scrutinised to be read.

While the design of the car might not have been to everyone’s liking, the support of the message the car was trying to promote was unanimous.