Conservatives joined Jordan Whyte to discuss rural crime issues in and around Withyham and Blackham but there was a noticeable absence of elected representatives from other Parties, notably the Green Party's leader of Wealden District Council.
Nusrat Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald, was accompanied by fellow Conservatives, Cllrs Johanna Howell and Bob Standley at the public meeting organised by Jordan together with local residents.
Although levels of crime are low overall across Sussex Weald, rural crime is one of the most important issues in the north of the constituency at the border with Kent. The meeting was attended by local residents and farmers who had the chance to have their concerns addressed by representatives from Sussex Police, Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council. The Leader of Wealden District Council was also invited to attend, but failed to present at the meeting.
Discussions centred around anti-social behaviour, rural crime issues including theft of machinery and equipment for the purpose of international resale, and fundraising for ANPR cameras to be installed in Withyham, following a successful campaign to install additional security equipment in Blackham.
In addition to Nusrat’s regular meetings with Sussex Police to raise individual cases of constituents, farmers, and local businesses, she also continues working with Sussex Police’s Rural Crime Team and Wealden Neighbourhood Policing Team to secure more police presence and visibility in the area and for more cross-border, multi-agency efforts to prevent rural crime, after similar operations led to positive results and multiple arrests previously.
Nusrat Ghani said: “I have worked with Jordan Whyte, local residents and the Withyham and Blackham Watch for years and would like to thank Jordan for convening and chairing this important meeting. The serious nature of local crime was recognised by local police who joined us throughout the meeting and will be considering allocating extra resources to the area.
Local Councillors Johanna Howell and Bob Standley also joined to share how some rural crime could be connected across villages. It was an incredibly measured event considering that many residents who were present had first-hand experience of criminal activity.
The continued absence from Wealden District Council Leader Cllr Millward was noted and it was unfortunate that other Wealden District Councillors in attendance did not have sufficient answers or information to offer substantial responses to resident queries.
I appreciate all the work that the community is doing to ensure that criminal activity is dealt with, and I note the concerns made about Police response times and lack of visibility. I am keen to keep the pressure up to ensure that both Sussex Police and Kent Police work together to secure arrests and convictions.
I continue working with Sussex Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office to secure more resources for increased police patrol activity and I have another local village meeting later this month to keep police attention and resources in the area. I urge local residents to report any crime to the police and keep a record of the police crime reference number.”
