Sally-Ann Hart, Member of Parliament for Hastings and Rye, recently convened a second meeting as regards anti-social behaviour and retail crime in Hastings Town Centre. This meeting, following on from a meeting held in September last year, was well attended and included Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne; Chief Superintendent Katy Woolford, Divisional Commander, Sussex Police; Councillor Keith Glazier, Leader of East Sussex County Council and representatives of Sussex Police, East Sussex County Council, Hastings Borough Council and local businesses to discuss and follow-up on action point from the first meeting, issues relating to anti-social behaviour, shop lifting and abuse against staff in Hastings Town Centre.
Sally-Ann remains very concerned about the increase in anti-social behaviour and the impact that this has on retailers, their staff and the local community. All who attended were very pleased to learn of the plans by Sussex Police to create a Community Hub in the town centre for 2 hours each day Monday to Saturday to provide a police presence in the town centre and the opportunity to raise their concerns directly with them. Sussex Police stressed the need for retailers to report every incident. Further actions were discussed with another meeting to be held in May.
After the meeting Sally-Ann said;-
“This was a wonderful opportunity to bring the relevant agencies and representatives of town centre businesses together to discuss crime in the town centre and what is being done to stop it. Retail staff tell me about their experiences and concerns, and it is utterly shocking to hear what they have to put up with on a regular basis. Anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and abuse towards them has a real impact on individuals just trying to do their job. This is about decency and safety, and local businesses and their staff should not have to put up with such abuse and have concerns for their own safety.
Sussex Police, East Sussex County Council, Hastings Borough Council and the retailers themselves all need to work together on real action to stop this behaviour. I was very pleased to learn of the plans by Sussex Police to set up a Community Hub in the town centre and to increase foot patrols. “
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne added:-
“I remain committed to tackling all anti-social behaviour, especially retail crime, as it is not acceptable for any Sussex resident, business or visitor to Hastings to be exposed to criminal behaviour.”
It was encouraging to hear about the range of initiatives that Sussex Police, local council and others are putting in place to tackle the abuse and anti-social behaviour that businesses and residents have been facing in the town centre. We will only see positive and lasting change if all organisations pull together and I was glad to see so many round the table seeking a solution. I am particularly grateful to Hastings MP Sally Ann Hart for her continued focus and support to everyone.
As Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, I remain determined to support the ongoing work in Hastings to ensure that we all see results.”
Councillor Keith Glazier, Leader of East Sussex County Council said:-
“East Sussex County Council were pleased to bring senior officers from Public Health, Youth Services, Community Safety and Adult Social Care to these partnership discussions. Preventing and responding to antisocial behaviour and shoplifting needs all departments and organisations to work together. I’m pleased to see that in practice, for example in the innovative projects Youth Services and Sussex Police are doing together to tackle youth crime in Hastings.”