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Sussex is now likely to be only the third police force to be run by women and change is afoot..in a very good way

Published

8 months ago

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So far it has only been the Metropolitan and the North Yorkshire police forces that have had women in the two top jobs.

Now change is coming to Sussex and there is a palatable excitement in the air both within the force and from across the county.

Already, those who work closely with the police, in particular the media, have already begun to experience change. It is a change that is very much needed and could set an example, not just to future leaders, but to other forces across the country.

It is all about transparency, working together and not seperately, something that will create partnerships and alliances rather than feeling seperated or at loggerheads.

Sources close to the newly nominated Jo Shiner have already commented on her passion for change, for listening and learning and acting on the feedback but also for her approachability. No red tape just to be able to speak to her. Something forces have desperately needed to do for a long time.

Couple that with Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne’s never ending enthusiasm to really mould the force here into a true community working side by side with residents and businesses and you have something being achieved that many forces elsewhere struggle with on a daily basis. It’s not there yet but it is coming and quickly.

Already media outlets have begun to experience a change in the way Sussex Police communicate with them and even the officers on the front line are changing in the way they communicate with reporters at incidents.

But this is just one tiny example of change that is happening, there will be many more which makes this a very exciting time for the force and those involved with them will be glued with anticipation to see what happens next.

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Crawley & Horley residents among 212 Sussex drivers arrested during Christmas drink and drug-driver crackdown

Published

12 hours ago

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14th January 2021

By

Several Crawley residents have been named among 212 arrests that were made in Sussex during the police’s Christmas crackdown on drink and drug-drivers.

The campaign ran from 1 December 2020 to 1 January 2021 – with the aim to provide education and enforcement to motorists – and was run in addition to their routine roads policing activity, 365 days a year.

Of those arrested, nine have since been convicted in court. The remaining have either been charged, released under investigation or released without charge.

The latest convictions include several Crawley residents including:

  • Karlis Buks, 26, a shop employee, of East Park, Crawley, was arrested in Beehive Ring Road, Gatwick Airport, on 8 December and charged with driving with 103mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system.

    At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 8 January, he was disqualified from driving for 24 months. He was also ordered to pay a £500 fine, £85 costs and a £50 victim surcharge.
  • Carla Rae, 30, a child carer, of Broadmead, Horley, Surrey, was arrested in Fry Close, Crawey, on 13 December and charged with driving with 51mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in her system.

    At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 11 January, she was disqualified from driving for 14 months. She was also ordered to pay a £346 fine, £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.
  • Joao De Sousa, 51, a cleaner, of Crowberry Close, Crawley, was arrested in Balcombe Road, Crawley, on 15 December and charged with driving with 51mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system.

    At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 12 January, he was disqualified from driving for 14 months. He was also ordered to pay a £290 fine, £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.
  • Alister Kafumbe, 22, army personnel, from Crawley, was arrested in Crawley on 19 December and charged with driving with 41mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system.

    At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 11 January, he was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay a £230 fine, £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

Police are reminding people that if you’re prepared to drive under the influence of drink or drugs, prepare to face the consequences. These could include the following:

  • Killing or seriously injuring yourself or someone else;
  • A minimum 12 month ban;
  • An unlimited fine;
  • A possible prison sentence;
  • A criminal record, which could affect your current and future employment;
  • An increase in your car insurance costs;
  • Trouble travelling to countries such as the USA.

People in Sussex can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug-driving, or visit the Operation Crackdown website. 

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report it online. 

If you know someone is driving while over the limit or after taking drugs, call 999.

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