It was good to welcome Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne to Lancing on Friday following the string of anti-social behaviour and crime we have seen in the village in recent months. I was able to take her to the Co-Op where thy have been trialling closer working with the Sussex police when dealing with shoplifting and abuse against staff, and to meet local traders and people impacted by recent events.
We then went back to the Parish Hall for a discussion with councillors, council officers, police and others and even she even did a turn on the ivories in the hall which last week opened as a community hub for local people to drop in. It will be open each Tuesday morning (10am – 12 noon) and Thursday afternoon (2-4pm) serving light refreshments.
This is another great initiative from Lancing Parish Council but I was really impressed to be able to show Katy Bourne the proposed new Lancing Youth Hub on Monks Rec where Council Chairman Mike Mendoza has invited Shoreham boxer Scott Welch to come in and transform the old pavilion together with some youth worker experts. Once finished they are planning an extensive programme of physical activities and support not just for young people but other members of the community too. It is a great scheme which could be an absolute game changer working with some of the existing local initiatives we have such as Electric Storm Youth and if anyone would like to offer their support it would be greatly welcomed. Councillor Mike Mendoza can give you more details.
As promised at the police street briefings before Christmas the local councillors are organising a public meeting about the anti-social behaviour problems in the village to be attended by police, youth charities, Youth Justice Board, councillors and officers. It will be held at the Parish Hall on January 26 from 19.00 to 21.00, chaired by Councillor Kevin Boram.
