Resident ‘gobsmacked’ by Selsey crime levels calls for police station to be reopened

A former councillor left ‘gobsmacked’ by crime levels in Selsey is calling for the police station to be reopened and a greater police presence in the town.
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Nick Rose wants police to do more to prevent and respond to crimes in Selsey – which he said included burglaries, break-ins, drugs offences and anti-social behaviour.

The 51-year-old, who was previously a councillor for Bournemouth Borough Council and is also a children’s author, moved to Selsey this year and said he was shocked by how much crime there was.

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“It’s just crazy,” said Mr Rose, who has himself had his moped stolen off of his drive. “There’s so much crime.

Nick Rose at the former police station in SelseyNick Rose at the former police station in Selsey
Nick Rose at the former police station in Selsey

“People feel that antisocial behaviour is rife, because no one will do anything about it.”

Mr Rose said he had never seen police patrolling the streets, and claimed officers would not do anything about crime reports unless the victim could provide clear CCTV footage.

He was so ‘fed up’ that he contacted Katy Bourne, the police and crime commissioner for Sussex, and discussed the issue with her via zoom.

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Mr Rose also arranged for her to visit the town and meet some of the business owners and residents affected – but unfortunately she had to cancel in order to speak with the Home Secretary.

Nick Rose at the former police station in SelseyNick Rose at the former police station in Selsey
Nick Rose at the former police station in Selsey

Ahead of the planned visit, he asked residents to contact him with their concerns, and said he had ‘dozens’ of responses.

According to Mr Rose, many people do not bother to report crimes anymore. “A lot of people are at their wit’s end,” he said.

Mr Rose is planning to compile the concerns and send them on to the PCC, who he praised for being ‘very positive and on our side’.

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As to the solution to the issue, he said: “We need the police station in Selsey reopened and a 24-hour police presence.

“We need a team who know the area, who are always there.”

Chief Inspector Jon Carter, the district commander for Arun and Chichester, said: “Decisions do have to be made about how finite police resources are used and where they are based.

“We constantly try to strike the right balance between responding to the largely hidden crimes that put people at serious risk, such as domestic violence and County Lines, while providing the visible policing that we know provides public reassurance.

“Thanks to both Government and local investment, we are now re-investing in local policing, including with extra police officers and PCSOS, and Selsey has a strong neighbourhood policing team.

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“The team is working to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour in the area, including through partnership working.

“I have met with Mr Rose and discussed the concerns he has at length.

“I have already taken steps to deal with some of them, and will continue to do so over the coming weeks and months.

“My teams and I will continue to work with the town council, other statutory partners and Mr Rose, to deal with the issues.”

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He added: “It is really important that residents report incidents or concerns, either by contacting us online methods or 101, or if it is an emergency, call 999.

“Even if the nature of the incident means that officers don’t come out straight away, the information provided is vital to enable my teams to build a picture of local issues and to better target those that are committing crime and antisocial behaviour.”

A spokesman for Sussex’s Police and Crime Commissioner said they were ‘grateful for the reassuring operational update provided by Chief Inspector Carter’ over the issues raised by Mr Rose.