WARD SURGERIES /PACT MEETING

We continue to hold twice monthly ward surgeries at Heathfield School 4th Wednesday of the Month) and the Eastbourne Sports complex (2nd Wednesday of the Month). Also incorporated are Monthly Police and Community Together (PACT) meetings. The next PACT meeting being 22nd October at Eastbourne sports complex 6.00pm.

The current PACT priorities are, anti social behaviour, Motorcycle nuisance, & highway and parking issues around Heathfield School.

On nuisance motorcycles in particular Quad bikes we regularly receive complaint in respect of excessive speed and noise in all areas of the ward in particular the Hundens Lane Area? We have spoken to the police several times and have been assured that they have taken action the problem being is that most of the riders spoken to are on street legal quads, and are taxed tested and insured. It is not a legal requirement to wear a helmet but we believe it should be. The noise levels from these quads also meet the legal requirement when ridden correctly. However in a built up area at excessive speed they are exceptionally loud. We would request that residents continue to report incidents they witness to the police, were these quads are being driven at excessive speed.

At the PACT meeting the police gave a break down of the crime figures for the ward and in general reported crime is down by 50% on the same time last year including Burglary, car crime and anti social behaviour. However at the time of the meeting detection rates for the reported crime was difficult to assess, the police intend to feed back detection rates at the next meeting. As your Ward councillors we challenged the report on the crime levels as we believe that crime levels are higher but are not being reported to the police, so we urge residents to report any and all incidents to the police it is the only way to get a true reflection of the crime levels in the ward and would also allow the police to make clearer decision on their policing priorities.