VOTE: Concern Worthing is a 'dumping ground' for problem kids

The Marine councillor has called for children's homes to be licensed in a similar way to pubs and clubs so the police, council and locals have more control over how they are run.

He is furious Worthing has eight homes while towns such as Horsham and Chichester have none and believes the homes are a "terrible drain" on police resources.

'Dumping ground'

"There's no doubt about it, we are becoming a dumping ground for the whole of West Sussex," said Mr Wye.

"I'm not conducting a witch hunt against all children's homes, just the badly run homes.

"They get handsomely paid for looking after these children and the bottom line is some of them don't."

The issue will be put before Worthing Council on Wednesday, April 8, when the cabinet will be urged to write to the government calling for powers to deal with the homes.

Police called

Mr Wye said police were called 16 times in one weekend to one Worthing home, and were required to look for eight missing children from the homes on one Monday morning.

He said he dreaded a child at a Worthing home being seriously hurt with the council unable to do anything about it.

"Some of these kids have terrible histories through no fault of their own," said Mr Wye.

"I'm not trying to get these homes closed down. I want the borough council to have an element of control over them."

Have your say

Do you think Worthing has too many children's homes?

Vote yes or no in the panel to the right of the screen.

What do you think?

Should the council have more control over children's homes?

Share your views, comment below, email the Herald or write in to Readers' Letters, Worthing Herald series, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA.

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