CCTV first captured a man 'looking at the bike' which was chained up outside the victim's home in Waterloo Road at around 1am on Saturday August 11, police said.

According to police, a woman then came at around 5am and attempted to take the bike but left 'empty handed'.

A police statement said: "The pair are believed to be working together.

"Anyone who recognise either of the people is asked to contact police online quoting serial 455 of 11/08."

For police advice about keeping your property safe visit here.

This week I am in the company of Rowan Allan who is putting the finishing touches to the 2018 West Grinstead and District Ploughing Match which this year is being held at Priors Byne Farm, Partridge Green on Saturday September 15.

Rowan Allan, the societies long serving hon. secretary, said: “Priors Farm is always a popular venue.

“John and Alison Ford always give everyone a warm welcome – it’s our third time here and the agricultural community is looking forward to coming together once again.”

John Ford’s farm is mixed arable with a herd of Sussex cattle.

This year the farming community have been facing the challenges of the freezing, wet spring and the long hot, dry summer, against the backdrop of a government exploring changes of emphasis in the nation’s support of our vital farming industry with the uncertainty that has brought.

An increasingly urban society can sometimes seem out of touch with farming’s important role in stewarding the land, practising good husbandry and sustainable food production with a deep understanding and respect for the environment and the natural world.

My experience of the farming community is that they are passionate about their responsibilities and rightly proud of their stewardship.

Rowan commented: “Balancing one’s heritage and nature with the needs of food production is perfectly possible.”

The West Grinstead and District Ploughing Match and Agricultural Society has been holding shows for over 140 years.

It seeks to re-connect town and country and educate the public.

Rowan said: “The ploughing match provides a shop window for people to engage with what farming and the countryside are really about.”

The society’s bursary programme continues to provide financial support to enable and encourage young people to take up careers in the agricultural industry.

One of the current beneficiaries of a bursary is Kobe Hedgehock.

He is rising 15 and is continuing his academic schooling whilst studying at Plumpton College as well.

Rowan explained: “Kobe wrote to us and his Headmaster to take a day out to attend the course – it’s helped him focus on his school work as well as beginning a path in agriculture.

“We’re delighted that the bursary and our support made it possible.”

Creating vocational opportunities like this through education is remarkable and hope filled.

Rowan tells me that alongside the 12 classes of ploughing, ranging from novice to open, the ever popular horse ploughing and vintage steam will be very much in evidence.

This year entrants ranging in age from 14 into their 80s will be competing.

Alongside the Livestock Show there will be a parade of hounds, terrier racing, a clay pigeon shoot, field and produce competitions and the marvellous Harris Fun Fair with their classic rides - the lamb handling sessions are always a favourite with youngsters – fun for all the family!

I will be supporting Rowan and this year’s chairman, Mark Streeter, at Priors Barn Farm, Partridge Green, RH13 8EQ on Saturday September 15 for the 2018 West Grinstead and District Agricultural Society Ploughing Match and Show.

Entrance is just £6 per person with children under 14 free – it’s going to be a fantastic family day - I hope to see you there!

For more information contact Rowan Allan at H. J. Burt through www.hjburt.co.uk or go to www.westgrinsteadploughing.co.uk.

Rupert Toovey is a senior director of Toovey’s, the leading fine art auction house in West Sussex, based on the A24 at Washington - www.tooveys.com - and a priest in the Church of England Diocese of Chichester.

‘Dire’ cuts to funding to support the homeless in Chichester and Bognor Regis would increase rough sleeping, the head of a charity has warned.

The Tory-led West Sussex County Council is considering ending housing support funding worth hundreds of thousands of pounds to a number of organisations from April 2019.

Since the authority argues the grants are discretionary, the cabinet member responsible is set to look at starting a process which could lead to a number of contracts with charities being terminated.

Stonepillow, which provides day hubs, accommodation and support for the homeless in both Chichester and Bognor Regis, would be one of those affected by the cuts.

Hilary Bartle, the charity’s chief executive officer, said the impact of the cuts would be ‘dire’, forcing a reduction in the opening times of its day hubs, less support for complex cases available at its hostels and fewer supported accommodation places.

She added: “The impact will be more visible rough sleepers on the streets with nowhere to go and no one to support them.”

She argued the proposed cuts went against Government policies to reduce rough sleeping and would end up costing public sector organisations, such as the police and health services, as well as the county council itself, more in the long-run.

Having the day hubs open every day is vital to help establish relationships and build trust so that rough sleepers are ready and willing to enter the hostels and engage with the charity.

Meanwhile the complex cases need a high level of support that the charity is able to provide to help with recovery and challenging behaviour.

She said: “The impact of the loss of grant and contract would be immense. We need to be able to have hubs open 365 days a year.

“We will not be able to support the people with the most complex and highest needs. The will be on the streets still and we will not be able to do what we have been doing for so long. It’s dire.”

The authority is also considering slashing Local Assistance Network funding, which Stonepillow helps distribute to those in crisis. This can include helping with heating or furniture, such as beds, fridges or cookers.

Mrs Bartle explained: “There are a whole range of things the LAN does. It’s a safety net for people who are financially vulnerable.”

She added: “I would urge West Sussex County Council to not think about the short term but think about the long term and the impact in their communities and also their duty and working in partnership with the district councils to actually ensure we reduce homelessness and end rough sleeping and this is not just a responsibility of the district councils it’s the responsibility for all local government in West Sussex.”

Bognor Housing Trust would also be affected. Manager Laura Kottaun said: “Ultimately we are going to see some type of reduction in the services we are providing up to closure but I hope it never comes to that. We get really good outcomes for people, getting them back into mainstream society and without this money there’s a huge risk of street homelessness increasing in Bognor Regis. These people they have no other options, they will be on the streets.”

She added: “I find it quite shocking West Sussex County Council can’t see the bigger picture because of the money we save the system.”

She continued: “If they do this they will be going against the Government announcement of ending all rough sleeping. It’s just crazy.”

The charity has a 98 per cent occupancy rate, showing the demand for its services.

Louise Goldsmith, leader of WSCC, explained the authority’s budget was under severe pressure due to reduced funding from Government. But she also stated no final decision had been made and a formal consultation would be held with those most affected.

She said: “The stark reality is we simply do not have the money to continue delivering the services we currently deliver in the same way and to the same level. We have come to the point that we need to make some difficult and necessary choices and this is the first reluctant step in this budget process.

“Locally there is really good work happening and we are committed to working in creative, innovative ways including collaborative working with partners to do as much as we can to mitigate the impact of these decisions and in doing so limit the effect on residents.

“The publication of the forward plan is the first step in the democratic process for our savings programme. No decision has been taken, these decisions are really important to making sure we meet the financial challenges we face. In order to make these decisions there is a full and thorough decision making process to go through. For many of these decisions that will include formal consultation with those most affected.

“Any changes we make we will do with the full understanding of the impact that has and the support we need to put in place to make sure we mitigate the impact for all of our communities.”

But Labour county councillor Michael Jones said: ”Trying to abolish the entire homelessness support funding the county council provides is not only incredibly callous and despicable of this Tory leadership, it is also immensely short-sighted.

“The county council will end up having to pay the consequences later when these vulnerable people deteriorate and then require services that they are statutorily required to provide, so most of the savings are likely to be lost quite quickly.

“Anyone who has seen first-hand the dedication of the staff at these organisations trying to help people in this terrible situation turn their lives around, and go forward with a roof over their heads, would not doubt for a second the benefit to the community they provide. The price it costs is relatively small as opposed to the costs that will undoubtedly emerge if they aren’t there, particularly to the health service and the police.

“In the meantime, I fear these cuts will trigger an epidemic of homelessness. This is likely to mean rough sleeping in the town centres, public places and open spaces, street begging and all the anti-social behaviour that can unfortunately accompany it, in a way that people in West Sussex will simply never have seen the likes of before.

“Where else will people seek help if these places aren’t there?”

James Walsh, leader of the Lib Dem group at County Hall, added: “These cuts fly in the face of the council’s avowed policies of protecting the vulnerable in our communities, and are merely cynical cash saving measures, and have no place in a civilised and caring society.

“They are part of a much wider programme of cuts to make up the shortfalls caused by the drastic reduction in the cash given by central government for local council services. It is time for the public and the council to stand up and tell central government that austerity has gone too far, and is severely eroding local Services to the elderly, young people, and vulnerable in our communities.”

Stonepillow’s annual fundraising event, The Big Sleep Out, takes place on Saturday 13th October in the grounds of Chichester Cathedral. The event kicks off at 2:00pm with a BBQ, as people arrive and start building their cardboard shelters before putting them to the test for the night.

Participants get sponsored to sleep out to raise vital funds for the charity and increase awareness of homelessness in the local area. The Big Sleep Out does not aim to replicate homelessness, but it does gets people thinking and it gives people a chance to experience some of the realities of rough sleeping.

Stonepillow hope to raise £30,000 this year and every single penny will go directly towards providing essential support to local homeless and vulnerable people.

It’s not too late to sign up and take part. A small registration fee of £15 per person includes refreshments, BBQ and entertainment. For further information or to register visit the charity’s website or phone 01243 537934.

For more information about Bognor Housing Trust visit its website.

Thousands have already rallied behind Crawley Open House, which could also lose funding, while the YMCA DownsLink Group, which provides supported housing services to homeless young people in Worthing, Crawley, Horsham and Burgess Hill, has warned that if the council ended all financial support it would lead to the closure of 206 homes for vulnerable young people.

Meanwhile Worthing Churches Homeless Projects is another charity that has issued a similar warning about an increase in rough sleeping in the areas it serves if its funding is cut

Goodwood Revival is paying tribute to one of the greatest actors of a generation, as Earls Court presented by Sky Cinema brings together the highlights of Hollywood icon Steve McQueen.

Continuing the partnership between Goodwood and Sky Cinema, the Earls Court Motor Show has been transformed into scenes from some of McQueen’s most memorable appearances on the big screen.

Representative vehicles from The Great Escape, Bullitt and Le Mans are on display alongside the cars which ‘The King of Cool’ favoured for his own personal garage.

Arguably the most famous movie car chase in history has been recreated as a Ford Mustang GT390 and Dodge Charger R/T 440 Magnum return side-by-side as they did in 1968’s Bullitt. Meanwhile, a Gulf-liveried Porsche 917K, a Ferrari 512S and a Porsche 911S 2.2 represent cult classic Le Mans.

Turning the clock back to 1943, a BMW R75 bike with sidecar and a Ford V3000 S Truck sit with the very Triumph TR6 Trophy bike that Steve McQueen used to try and escape from the German Army in The Great Escape. The Triumph was actually dressed as a BMW for the film.

Finally, a Jaguar XKSS, an Austin Mini Cooper S Mk2, a Porsche 356 Speedster and an Indian Chief motorcycle represent McQueen’s own personal collection.

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This year's Revival is the 20th anniversary of the event and takes place 7-9 September at the Goodwood Motor Circuit. If you are heading to Revival this weekend click here for a guide on what to expect.

Last week we had a visit from Guy Opperman a minister from the Department of Work and Pensions, who came to meet the staff at Chichester’s Jobcentre Plus; to listen to their experiences and ensure that staff and claimants are getting the support they need as we begin to roll out Universal Credit (UC) locally.

UC is a new benefit system that will roll six benefits into one, making it easier and simpler for people to get the support they need and transition into work. In Chichester we are at the beginning of rolling out UC, it started in July for new claimants, with the full service due to start at some time later this month. We will be fully up and running by 2021. UC has had a slow rollout with pilots across the country, which has been very important to ensure this new system works effectively.

We were very impressed by the Jobcentre staff, who were all extremely dedicated to their work. The work coaches are on hand to help people through what can be a very difficult point in their lives, making sure they get the support available to them. We were particularly inspired when we spoke to a member of the team who was unemployed for around two years himself, and now is a work coach at the Jobcentre. His personal journey means he can call on his experiences when helping people into work.

One of the biggest changes in the new system is the use of online technology allowing people to register and update their claims online, and even talk to their work coaches, all through a single web-portal. It’s the first time I have ever heard a public servant praise a computer system... According to a DWP national survey, 98 per cent of UC claims were made online. Before people would have to go to the centre every two weeks or so but now people no longer have to routinely attend, saving time and money. Although this option is still available to those who like to meet face to face.

Chichester Jobcentre Plus offers a lot more than many realise, their ABC programme is a case in point. Helping people get A job, then get a Better job, and then build a Career. Work coaches help support people into long-term sustainable employment, which is invaluable. Chichester now has low unemployment at 1.3 per cent and across the whole country we have the lowest levels since 1975, with over 1,000 more people moving into work each day since 2010.

I’d seen pictures of Agas in magazines; you could almost smell a home-made shepherd’s pie bubbling away within...

They looked homely and romantic and quintessentially British.

But my admiration had always been at arm’s length, being a city chick. None of my friends had an Aga. Never in a million years did I ever imagine I’d actually be living in the same home as one; let alone having to cook on one...

I remember first viewing the house and clocking the Aga, but we were so pre-occupied with The Admiral’s accommodation in the annexe, that the kitchen equipment was a bit of a blur.

On move day, by about 4pm, Devoted Doctor muttered something about being starving hungry and it was at this point that reality struck.

I surveyed the new domestic hub of the house and it dawned on me that there was no hob, and no oven.

Just ‘the beast’... It was like having a deep green smart car parked in the kitchen – magnificently beautiful and giving off an incredible amount of heat. It was majestic. I was going to have to cook supper on this the very next night and I had absolutely no idea what I was doing.

Devoted Doctor said it would be a breeze and pointed airily at the each of the four doors – ‘this one’s for roasts, this one’s for slightly less heat, this one’s for baking I think, and this must be for keeping things warm’. I gingerly opened the one for baking and the wall of heat almost pushed me backwards.

Devoted Doctor was obviously not quite as familiar with Agas as he had thought. This was clearly the raging hot/singe your eyebrows off oven! There were also two large round hot plates on the top, ‘we just use them like a hob’ he muttered. This wasn’t like any hob I had seen before.

I googled Aga courses, but they seemed over fancy and focussed on complex recipes when all I wanted to do was learn the basics. Friends brought us a Mary Berry Aga cookbook which saved the day and explained what each of the ovens was for; good old Mary! Suffice to say the Aga slowly grew on me. There were some disasters and almost tears on one occasion – a birthday pudding that was incinerated.

It continued to intimidate me for weeks but through trial and error we have become friends. Throughout our first Winter here, people would gather around the Aga like moths to a flame; clinging on to the toasty warm rail.

The kitchen radiated heat around the centre of the house 24/7 and despite worries about oil costs, the Aga’s so efficient at heating that we could turn off the radiators in all the rooms near the kitchen.

Come Spring time, the general consensus was that the Aga would have to go off by the summer as it would make the house too hot.

So, a small oven and a hob were acquired, and the Aga was duly switched off on 1st May. I was shocked at how much I missed it; the handy warming oven, the ability to juggle countless cooking pots at once, and above all the toasty glow first thing in the morning that took the chill off the air when padding into the kitchen for that first cup of tea.

So, I suppose I’m a total convert. I’m not saying it was easy, but I can’t wait until 1st October, when it’s deemed sufficiently Autumnal enough for us to get the Beast back in action again...

Concerns with the police presence and the 101 system, used to report crimes in the community, have been raised at a Chichester council meeting.

In her ward report at Wednesday evening’s city council meeting, west ward councillor Clare Apel spoke about her ‘real concern’ with drugs in the city, which she feels is getting ‘worse and worse’ due to police cutbacks.

She said: “Like the whole city, we have got problems on the west ward with drugs.

“The money given to the community by the council is so important because of the little police presence. To say it is thin is an understatement.

“The drug scene is getting worse and worse. It is affecting young people and it is a real concern.”

Speaking to the Observer, she added that drugs are a ‘big problem’ all over the UK, and claimed everyone can see it, ‘unless they are completely blind’.

At the meeting, cllr Apel put forward her belief that a chief inspector should speak to the council about what plans the police have to deal with the growing problem- which she also puts down to the ‘absurd’ 101 system.

She added: “I just feel we need the police here to tell us what is happening.

“They talk about county boundaries and the big gangs that come down from London but they don’t realise the effect it is having on communities and it is really serious.

“The council should have a chief inspector down here to talk about it. Because of the cutbacks, they just don’t seem to be as effective.

“101 is a complete waste of time. I’ve tried twice, waited 45 minutes and lost the will to live.

“In one case in my ward, they promised a chap they would come in an hour but didn’t come for two weeks.

“It’s absurd, it is really bad and I feel very strongly about it.”

Fellow west ward councillor and mayor Martyn Bell took on board cllr Apel’s comments saying that he will ‘pursue’ getting a police officer to speak to the council.

He added: “This concern is something we’ve discussed in depth over the last few weeks and at the community affairs committee, we had a presentation on it.

“The community wardens are doing a great job for us and thank goodness for that. In terms of taking this forward to the full council, I’ll have to discuss this with the clerk.”

Adding to the drug and police debate, Simon Oakley, who serves the West Sussex County council as member for Chichester east division, pointed out that police are helpless without the support of the community in building an ‘intelligence picture’.

He said: “In regards to the drug problem in the city, what I would really say to all councillors, for yourselves and your residents, is to report drug related activity you have seen online.

“It is common knowledge that the telephone 101 system is too long.

“The police really need us to build up an intelligence picture for them to use their resources appropriately to deal with this problem.

“If the authorities are not made aware of considerable issues online by actual reports, they will not go around looking for the issues.

“They need that dependence on councillors and that community concern and reporting to be able to prioritise their resources to significant issues.

“Do not assume it will automatically be flagged up a central control centre. You see it, please report it. Do not assume someone else will do it for you.”

Do you agree that drugs are a ‘real concern’ in Chichester and is 101 a failing system?

Let us know your thoughts and experiences at news@chiobserver.co.uk or message our Facebook page.

See also: ‘Worrying’ county lines drug issue raised at city council meeting

Councillors ‘deserve explanation’ after Sammy Transport closure

Legal challenge to Velo South event

The following are the latest results contributed by HM Courts Service, for cases sentenced by West Sussex Magistrates’ Court sitting at Worthing from August 30 to September 5, 2018.

Michael O’Brien, 36, of Highfield Road, Bognor Regis, was fined £768 and must pay £76 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (84mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Worms Lane, Middleton-on-Sea, on August 17, 2018. He was disqualified from driving for 22 months. He also admitted driving without the correct licence, no separate penalty.

Colin Page, 58, of Mill Road, Emsworth, was discharged conditionally for eight months and must pay £100 compensation, £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting assaulting a police constable in the execution of his duty in Emsworth on August 17, 2018; and resisting a police constable in the execution of his duty in Emsworth on August 17, 2018.

Jasmine Perring, 22, of Wood Street, Bognor Regis, was discharged conditionally for 12 months and must pay £100 compensation, £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting assaulting a police constable in the execution of his duty in Littlehampton on August 15, 2018.

Deborah Nicolls, 54, of The Street, Bury, was fined £40 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £100 costs, after admitting being the registered owner of a vehicle that did not meet insurance requirements in Littlehampton on October 4, 2017.

Jake Braine, 23, of St George’s Gardens, Aldwick, was fined £150 after admitting using threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour which was racially aggravated and likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress in The Esplanade, Bognor Regis, on May 18, 2018. He was fined £50 after admitting resisting a police constable in the execution of his duty. He was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and must carry out 200 hours’ unpaid work after admitting having a blade, namely a kitchen knife, without good reason in Exton Road, Chichester, on June 9, 2018. He must also pay £115 victim surcharge.

Charlene Garner, 29, of Westergate Street, Westergate, was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with three-month curfew, electronically monitored, from 8pm to 6am daily, and Rehabilitation Activity Requirement after admitting possessing a weapon, namely pepper spray, in Bognor Regis on December 23, 2017. She was given a four-month concurrent prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, after admitting assault by beating in Bognor Regis on December 23, 2017. She was also given a restraining order. She was given a two-month concurrent prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, after admitting a second charge of assault by beating in Bognor Regis on December 23, 2017. She was given a one-month concurrent prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, after admitting sending Facebook messages conveying a threat to cause distress or anxiety in Bognor Regis on December 21, 2017. She must pay £115 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Alex Norgett, 28, of Stoneage Close, Bognor Regis, was given a community order with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement after admitting stalking amounting to harassment in Bognor Regis between March 1 and 22, 2018. He was also given a restraining order and must pay £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Norbert Adam, 34, of Ballards Lane, Finchley, was fined £842 and must pay £84 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (56mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Hotham Park Road, Bognor Regis, on August 18, 2018. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Paul Dickenson, 27, of Baffins Lane, Chichester, was given a community order with Alcohol Treatment Requirement and must pay £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting an act of outraging public decency, showing his buttocks to members of the public on more than one occasion, in Chichester on August 18, 2018.

Owen Ellis, 18, of Greynville Close, Bognor Regis, was discharged conditionally for 12 months and must pay £11.89 compensation after admitting stealing food worth £11.89 from The Co-op, Bognor Regis, on August 15, 2018.

Ian Lovegrove, 21, of Aldwick Road, Bognor Regis, was given a community order with Building Better Relationships programme requirement and Rehabilitation Activity Requirement after admitting assault by beating in Bognor Regis on August 17, 2018. He must pay £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

Marcin Pasternak, 44, of Pendleton Place, Bognor Regis, was given a community order with Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and must pay £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (99mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Lyon Street, Bognor Regis, on August 17, 2018. He was disqualified from driving for 48 months. He also admitted driving without the correct licence, no separate penalty.

Valentin Vachev, 36, of West Street, Bognor Regis, was fined £300 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting failing to provide a specimen for analysis when required in Chichester on August 18, 2018. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Stuart Butler, 45, of Aldwick Road, Bognor Regis, was jailed for six weeks after admitting using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour, with intent, causing harassment, alarm or distress at Barnham Railway Station, Eastergate, on March 31, 2018. He was also given a restraining order and must pay £115 victim surcharge. He was given three six-week concurrent prison sentences after admitting three further charges of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour, with intent, causing harassment, alarm or distress at Barnham Railway Station, Eastergate, on April 7, May 11, and May 15, 2018.

Steven Hilliard, 37, of Orchard Close, London, was fined £600 and must pay £60 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (81mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Shripney Road, Bognor Regis, on August 18, 2018. He was disqualified from driving for 20 months.

Jake Keet, 21, of Osborne Way, Bognor Regis, was fined £300 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting harassment by sending numerous Facebook messages, knowing no contact was wanted, in Bognor Regis between July 24, 2018, and August 3, 2018. He was fined £50 after admitting resisting a police constable in the execution of his duty in Bognor Regis on August 7, 2018. He was also given a restraining order.

Daniel Merritt, 21, of Mead Way, Midhurst, was fined £50 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving a motorcycle without wearing protective headgear in North Street, Midhurst, on August 18, 2018. He was fined £50 after admitting driving without the correct licence in North Street, Midhurst, on August 18, 2018. He was fined £100 after admitting failing to stop when required by a police costable in in North Street, Midhurst, on August 18, 2018. He was fined £300 and disqualfied from driving for 20 months after admitting drink-driving (70mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in North Street, Midhurst, on August 18, 2018.

Daniel Sieranski, 26, of Festival Court, Somerstown, Chichester, was fined £400 and must pay £40 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting drink-driving (46mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath) in Osprey Gardens, Bognor Regis, on August 18, 2018. He was disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Jake Braine, 23, of St George’s Gardens, Aldwick, was given a community order and must carry out 40 hours’ unpaid work after admitting stealing a Helping Hearts charity box filled with loose change in South Street, Chichester, on July 14, 2018. He must pay £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

’Worrying’ county lines drug issue raised at city council meeting

Billingshurst man who tried to arrange child abuse online is snared by undercover agents

270 tyres dumped in Arundel in major fly-tipping incident

An attempt to smuggle cocaine into the UK hidden inside boxes marked rum has been prevented by Border Force officers at Gatwick Airport.

Officers discovered the Class A drugs on the morning of Saturday, 1 September, when two passengers were stopped after arriving on a flight from Barbados.

The drugs, which had been wrapped in plastic, weighed approximately 8.5kgs and a full forensic analysis will now take place.

Tim Kingsberry, Director of Border Force South said: “It is the job of Border Force to stay one step ahead of the smugglers who would look to bring dangerous drugs like this into the UK.

“Detections such as this are testament to Border Force officers’ expertise. In this case, the drugs seized were estimated to have a potential value of approximately £535,000 once cut and sold on the streets.

“Working with law enforcement colleagues like the National Crime Agency (NCA) we are determined to prevent drug trafficking and bring those responsible to justice.”

Following the seizure by Border Force, the investigation was passed to the NCA.

Two men, Grantley Herbert Thompson, 62, and Jamal Ricardo Walcott, 30, both from Barbados and of no fixed UK address were charged with importing a Class A drug.

The men appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court on 3 September, and were remanded in custody.

They will next appear at Croydon Crown Court on October 1.

The Government’s Serious Violence Strategy, which was launched in April, aims to combat the devastating impact drugs have on levels of serious violence.

It also highlights a strong link between drugs and serious violence and the related harm and exploitation from county lines. The Government has set out the action it will take to tackle this violent and exploitative criminal activity.

The action of Border Force to stop drugs before they get into the country forms a key part of this work.

Border Force officers use hi-tech search equipment to combat immigration crime and detect banned and restricted goods that smugglers attempt to bring into the country.

Nationally, they use an array of search techniques including sniffer dogs, carbon dioxide detectors, heartbeat monitors and scanners - as well as visual searches - to find well-hidden stowaways, illegal drugs, firearms and tobacco which would otherwise end up causing harm to local people, businesses and communities.

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling should call the hotline on 0800 59 5000.

See also: Renewed appeal in hunt for driver after car ‘makes off’ from M23 crash

’Explosion’ as bomb squad called to Crawley town centre

There has been no data breach after servers at Chichester City Council were hacked, a spokesman has confirmed.

Some links on the website are still being fixed but the spokesman said the website is up and running along with emails.

He added: "We are expecting a report to our committee on the incident.

"My sincere wish is that the influence of the individuals responsible be used for the good of mankind."

Staff and councillors endured their fourth day without use of their website or emails yesterday (Thursday 6).

Speaking at the time, the city council's clerk said the hacking had been a 'sophisticated attempt' and called the incident a 'major nuisance'.

READ MORE:

'Worrying' county lines drug issue raised at city council meeting
Councillors 'deserve explanation' after Sammy Transport closure
Problems with Chichester police presence and 101 system raised at council meeting

Read more at: https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/problems-with-chichester-police-presence-and-101-system-raised-at-council-meeting-1-8627940

The Grand Folly Hotel in Halnaker has closed its doors and cancelled all bookings during the Goodwood Revival festival this weekend due to ‘unforeseen commercial’ concerns.

A message on the seasonal hotel’s Facebook page said: “The Board deeply regrets to confirm the cancellation and non-opening of The Grand Folly Hotel during The Goodwood Revival 2018 due to unforeseen commercial and operational concerns.

“All customers have been notified directly. The team offer their unreserved apology for this outcome and thank you for your continued support.

“The Goodwood Revival is a separately owned entity and will be going ahead as planned. For help with accommodation please visit the Goodwood Travel website: https://travel.goodwood.com”

Contact numbers on the hotel’s website redirected to an answer phone message advising of ‘a high volume of calls’ regarding the cancellation.

It advised customers to ‘please refer to the cancellation statement for the process and respond to the email address provided and the claims department’.

It continued: “For all 2019 enquiries please contact general enquires stay@grandfollyhotel.com”

No information about the cancellation is showing on the hotel’s website.

Accommodation this weekend at the hotel is showing as ‘fully booked’ on www.bookings.com.

The hotel has been contacted for comment.

Glitz and glamour at the prestigious Southern Business Awards saw winners of each category celebrate in style.

Hosted by Spirit FM’s Vicky Edwards at The Grand Brighton, the event saw more than 80 businesses across the East and West Sussex and Portsmouth shortlisted.

As well as winning Overall Business of the Year, Bognor Regis based Woods Travel Limited walked proudly away with medium-sized business, too.

The winners are:

Customer Service (Sponsored by Barraclough The Opticians)

Winner

Pinks Vintage Ice Cream Vans and Tricycles - Chichester.

Start-up of the Year (Sponsored by Chichester Chamber of Commerce)

Winner

The Beach Kitchen - Eastbourne

Innovation Award

Winner

Goscombe Homes - Eastbourne

Small Business of the Year (Sponsored by Khoo Systems)

Winner

Funky Hampers - Eastbourne

Green Business of the Year (Sponsored by Bright Spark Energy)

Winner

Great Ballard School - Chichester

Training and Development award

Winner

Egalite - Worthing

Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Award (Sponsored by Nisbits Catering Equipment)

Winner

Mariott Hotel - Portsmouth

Medium-sized Business Award (Sponsored by eastbourne Business Awards)

Winner

Woods Travel Limited - Bognor Regis

Outstanding Contribution to the Community (Sponsored by Oscars Hair and Beauty)

Winner

Brad Ainsworth - Chichester

Employer of the Year (Sponsored by HR Department Eastbourne)

Winner

Digi Tool Box - Portsmouth

Best Employee/Team of the Year

Winner

Gemma Lighting - Portsmouth

Place to Eat or Drink Award

Winner

The Green Man - Horsham

Young Achiever Award

Winner

Ben Griggs - Worthing

Manufacturing and Construction Award

Winner

Dunham Bush Limited - Portsmouth

Large Business of the Year

Winner

First Central - Haywards Heath

Retailer of the Year (Sponsored by Swan Walk Shopping Centre)

Winner

Sakakini - Horsham

Business Personality of the Year

Winner

Tristan Eves - Chichester

Lifetime Achievement Award

Winner

Diane Lenantine - Chichester

Overall Business of the Year

Winner

Woods Travel Limited - Bognor Regis

Speaking at Wednesday evening's Chichester council meeting, deputy mayor Trevor Tupper revealed an agreement between Southern Railway and the Community Rail Partnership to put silhouette soldiers on each of the stations on the Arun Valley.

When asked for comment on the plans, Andrew Harrowell, a community relations manager at Govia Thameslink Railway, said the offer is specifically for stations whose community partnership are holding an event 'to commemorate those who gave their lives in the First World War'.

He added: "Discussions are in early stages but we already have interest for at least 20 stations along our south coast and Arun Valley routes."

However, Govia said installing the silhouettes is still subject to identifying a 'specific practical location' at each station.

It said that once this is confirmed, local community partnerships will be able to choose from 'one of seven silhouette designs' supplied by the British Legion but paid for by Govia Thameslink who will also be responsible for their installation.

Councillor Tupper, who is also secretary of the West Sussex Rail Users Association, said at the council meeting that he is 'more involved' with the possible installation of a 'silent soldier' at Chichester Station.

He said: "There will be a silhouette in the booking hall at Chichester.

"Some 20,000 soldiers left Chichester by rail on 1484 (locomotive steam trains) in the First World War and never came back and it is only right that Chichester does something."

Silhouette soldiers have been introduced to commemorate 100 years since the First World War.

On their website, The Royal British Legion said it is inviting the public to take part in a movement to thank the First World War generation who 'served, sacrificed, rebuilt and changed the nation'.

It said the donation of a variety of silhouettes symbolise the communities that took part in the war and 'shaped the nation' as we know it today.

However, police are looking for 'thoughtless thieves' who have been stealing these symbolic memorials over the last week.

Read more about this here and here.

See also: Problems with Chichester police presence and 101 system raised at council meeting

Plans for 75-bed care home in Donnington

Plans have been submitted for the demolition of former St Wilfrid's Hospice site to make way for a 75-bed care home.

The application, put forward by Care UK, includes access, parking, landscaping amongst other works to the site in Grosvenor Road, Donnington.

A public exhibition was held at the site in March which from which feedback was 'overall very positive', a spokesman said.

Received by Chichester District Council on August 16, part of the plan reads: "Nationally, there is a growing elderly population which contributes to a need for more care provision.

"People in the UK are living longer and some elderly people need additional care to live fulfilling lives, with access to care support and nursing services on demand."

It adds: "The type of living accommodation found in the care home consists of 75 bedroom units with en-suite to allow for safety and accessibility of each bedroom.

"The bedroom layouts have been carefully considered for elderly residents that may have difficulty with mobility and accessibility."

The news comes as St Wilfrid's Hospice announced it was moving site.
Councillor John Ridd (Con) said the plans had been discussed 'very well' with the parish council.

He said: "The people I spoke with at the open day with seem very positive.

"The one major concern is parking but the developers are conscious of it.

"It's important that we get the parking sorted as soon as possible but lot of people are speaking in favour."

The determination deadline is set as November 27. For more information see reference: 18/02109/FUL

READ MORE:

Giggling Squid signage plans refused
Landlords need new licences says Chichester District Council
No data breach after hacking said Chichester City Council

Chichester District Council has agreed to spend £20,000 on a civil engineering consultant to come up with a design solution for a vehicle washing site at Westhampnett.

The council has a fleet of 68 vehicles and, in January, it was agreed in principle that £126,000 could be spent on the facility and its drainage work.

At a meeting of the cabinet on Tuesday (September 4), members were told that the drainage work would not be carried out until the vehicle wash was installed, and a consultant was needed to accurately cost the work.

It was agreed to meet the hiring costs out of the project’s £126,000 budget.

Presenting the report, Roger Barrow (Con, Selsey South) told the meeting that staff were currently using hand-held pressure washers to clean vehicles used to collect recycling and domestic waste.

But, because the existing drainage system was not capable of cleansing contaminated water, no detergents could be used.

Mr Barrow added: “When a vehicle is inspected for MOT it’s a requirement that the engine bays and the chassis are clean, and we currently pay a third party contractor to provide that cleaning service.

“This project would enable us to undertake the cleaning on site, saving revenue and staff time.”

Eileen Lintill (Con, Petworth) said the £20,000 ‘seems a lot of money to me’, but John Connor (Con, Selsey North) felt it was not ‘unduly excessive’.

Over the past few years, the Westhampnett site has undergone major refurbishment work, including the development of a half-acre gypsy and traveller site and the addition of a new service road.

Mr Barrow told the meeting that the gypsy and traveller site currently has a cesspit system, which was emptied by a contractor.

He added that linking the drainage system to that site and into the Southern Water sewer would save the cost of the contractor.

Questions were asked about whether the sewer could cope with the extra pressure, without having to be updated, but members were reassured that nothing would be done without approval from Southern Water.

Mr Barrow also suggested that extra money could be made by providing a vehicle washing service to outside organisations.

Officers will report the full cost of the project to the cabinet in January.

A 16-year-old boy has been banned from West Sussex after puncturing the lungs of two teenagers and injuring another in a knife attack in Littlehampton town centre.

Kurtis Donat, from Durrington, avoided a custodial sentence after the incident on March 28, which saw Terminus Road turn into a major crime scene and left the two victims needing emergency treatment in hospital.

Donat can be named for the first time today after a judge lifted a reporting restriction preventing the teenager from being identified due to his age.

Judge Charles Kemp’s decision came after this newspaper argued the restriction should be lifted in light of the seriousness of the offences.

Judge Kemp said ‘the public interest in knowing not only the circumstances of this case but also the reason behind the sentence’ overrode Donat’s anonymity.

He sentenced Donat to a youth rehabilitation order of 24 months, with various conditions such as going to live with his uncle in Hampshire, not returning to West Sussex, not contacting his victims for three years and a six-month curfew.

He said: “Young men, in particular those who carry knives, must understand the danger they pose and must appreciate the public revulsion of knife crime.”

The court heard how Donat, who was 15 at the time, had felt bullied and intimidated by his three victims over social media gossip regarding a girlfriend, so he armed himself with a knife to defend himself if he saw them.

That became reality on the day of the incident, when one of the victims, stood with a group which included his other victims, started ‘swaggering’ towards him.

Judge Kemp said: “He described an adrenaline rush of acting aggressively to a perceived threat. Reportedly, he bitterly regrets his actions.”

After the stabbings, Donat fled the scene and got on a train home. A firearms unit was called to his house, where officers found him sitting on his doorstep with three knives and a hammer - although there was no suggestion he was going to use them.

He did not answer officers’ questions about what happened, he was either silent or said ‘he was too frightened to talk about what had happened’, the court heard.

William England, defending Donat, said that while it might appear on paper that ‘this was a loonie running around cutting people up and he needs to be put in prison’, really he had been ‘systematically bullied and terrified’ online and via text message, underlining how ‘dangerous social media is around young people’.

He said: “He was sent months and months of abuse, threats, being outnumbered consistently, fearing he was going to be beaten to a pulp. At one point, he thought he was going to have his face smashed in with a brick.

“Perhaps not a once in a lifetime case, but there really are exceptional reasons to take an exceptional course.”

After being arrested and charged, Donat remained in detention for five-and-a-half months. Since then, the 6ft 3ins-tall youth had quit smoking cannabis, continued his studies and gained 20kg by taking up exercise, the court heard.

The two victims who were more seriously injured are expected to make a full recovery - although they will still bear ‘the physical and psychological scars’ of what happened, Judge Kemp said.

In a victim statement, the victim who was less badly injured said he ‘couldn’t sleep for some time’ after the incident. He said: “I was in shock, and some days I couldn’t even speak. I saw my mates at the hospital and that affected me. I feel wary when I’m in Littlehampton now.”

Mr Donat was initially charged with two charges of grievous bodily harm with intent and one of attempted grievous bodily harm, but on August 2 he pleaded guilty to different charges of unlawful wounding, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The original charges will lie on the court file.

The youth rehabilitation order covered various topics such as conflict resolution, mental health and wellbeing, substance misuse, lifestyle and relationships.

He was also required to do a seven-day knife awareness course and was given a six-month curfew. For the first three months, he had to stay at his uncle’s house from 9pm to 6am, and if he complied with the conditions it would be reduced to weekends only for the rest of the curfew.

He was not ordered to pay any costs or a victim surcharge due to his age.

He would only be allowed to visit West Sussex with the permission of the probation service or youth offending team, the court heard.

If he breaches any of these conditions he would be resentenced for his crimes and may receive a custodial sentence.

Donat’s sentence was thanks to Emma Speer from the West Sussex Youth Offending Service, whose ‘outstanding’ report was enough to persuade Judge Kemp not to keep him in custody.

To Donat, he said: “You should be very grateful to her for the time and trouble she has taken on your behalf.”

The glamourous looks of days gone by are brought to the stage at Revival by a globetrotter looking to embrace life.

Revival Fashion presented by Mastercard, situated in the heart of the Revival High Street, is a new area totally dedicated to vintage chic style. The Revival Theatre is the jewel in this crown and offers a story-infused fashion show with live music, models and dancers.

This year's effort is called The High Flyer and showcases the styles of the '40s, '50s and '60s within the story of a young man that leaves London to explore the world.

The Revival Theatre will host the hugely popular Best Dressed competition on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

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This year's Revival is the 20th anniversary of the event and takes place 7-9 September at the Goodwood Motor Circuit. If you are heading to Revival this weekend click here for a guide on what to expect.

Yesterday marked six months since the disapparance of Georgina Gharsallah, with a plea from a Chief Inspector for any information that will help find her.

Georgina, 30, from Worthing, was last seen on March 7 in Clifton Road, Worthing, and she has not been seen or made contact with family or friends since.

Despite an ongoing enquiry, which has been led by the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team since March 26, there has been no information regarding why or where Gina is or what has happened to her.

Chief Inspector Miles Ockwell said: “Six months have passed since Gina’s family and friends have seen or spoken to her and this is an extremely distressing time for them and we remain very concerned for her wellbeing.

“This is extremely unusual behaviour for Gina and it is not something she has done before.

“We, along with your family and friends, just want to hear from you Gina so we know you are safe.

“Please make contact with us or your family or if you are unable, make yourself aware to someone so they can do it on your behalf.

“Everyone is desperate to hear from you.”

READ MORE: ‘Never-ending grieving’ for mum of missing Georgina Gharsallah

Family of missing Georgina Gharsallah launch appeal on Worthing bridge

Georgina is white, 5ft 4in and was last seen with shoulder-length dark hair and a Monroe-style piercing above her lip. She has links to Worthing, Brighton and London and she could have travelled to one of these areas.

Chief Insp Ockwell added: “We want to jog the public’s memory and for them to cast their mind back to this time to see if they remember seeing Gina.

“She was walking along Clifton Road on the morning of March 7 carrying two plastic bags; one white and one orange. We believe Gina was carrying her personal belongings and at least two mobile phones.

“Were you working in a mobile phone shop in Worthing that day? Did Gina come into your shop requesting help with a mobile phone?

“If you saw Gina on this day or since then we urge you to make contact with us immediately so that we can continue to investigate all lines of enquiry.

“If you know anything about what has happened or may have happened to Gina then please contact us.”

If you see Gina please call 999 immediately. If you have any information at all, no matter how small, please contact Sussex Police online or call 101 quoting Operation Pavo.

Alternatively, you can visit the Crimestoppers website or contact the independent charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.

So, it’s back to school week and even the politicians are back at work, so we know it’s a slow slippery slope to Christmas.

Despite MPs being on their summer recess, talk of Brexit has never been far away and everyone has an opinion on it, so I thought perhaps I would share mine.

I voted leave for many reasons but the biggest was the lack of control we had of our own UK laws and allowing a group of undemocratically elected politicians to dictate what we can do in our own country.

There are also the vast sums of money (however much) that we put into the EU coffers every week and a lack of control over immigration.

I almost felt like I couldn’t say I voted leave after the result came out as some people were being accused of being racist for voting for Brexit.

Everyone had their own reasons for voting to leave the EU and it is very patronising of politicians who don’t agree with the result to say why we voted this way.

Most people I’ve spoken to accept the result even if they don’t agree with it and I fear if we end up going down the route of another referendum, democracy in this country will be completely undermined and the effects of this could be far more destructive than some of the doomsday predictions being made when we leave the EU.

The next few months are going to the very interesting as they get down to the nitty gritty and final detail of a deal and I think it’s totally ridiculous for us and the media to expect to know all the details while they are still negotiating.

It’s like a business meeting where you tell the other party involved all your plans before trying to close a deal.

We are very good at talking ourselves down in this country and need to try and remember that not all predictions of doom and gloom come true, the opposite may happen.

I look forward to a time when we can get through a whole week without hearing the word ‘Brexit’ used once, but that clearly is asking too much.

n Get in touch on Twitter @stuartmcginley

n Hear McGinley in the Morning – weekdays 6-10 on Spirit FM

A 71-year-old man from Itchenor has died following a collision involving a cyclist and a bus yesterday afternoon, police have confirmed.

Officers were called to the collision on the B2179 Cakeham Road, West Wittering at around 4pm, where a cyclist had sustained ‘serious injuries’, according to police.

A police spokesman said: “A 71-year-old male from the Itchenor area of Chichester was flown to Southampton hospital where he sadly died later that evening.

“Police are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to call 101 quoting Opertation Florin.”