Crime figures row

NEW Seahaven police crime figures have been branded 'lies, damn lies and statistics by a council leader.

Police chiefs came under fire from councillors at a Lewes and Seahaven Police Community Consultative Group public meeting at Meeching Hall, Newhaven, on Thursday last week.

Police announced a drop in crime for Telscombe, Peacehaven, Newhaven and Seaford. The number of reported crimes fell from 2,621 to 2,404 (eight per cent) from April to November 2001, compared to the same period last year.

But Leader of Peacehaven Town Council Tony Howard was not impressed. He cited on-going problems with youth crime and the lack of continuity caused by officers moving on after a short stay in the area. Former Seahaven Inspector Ron Preddy, Sgt Nick Chrusciel and beat officers had barely settled into their new roles before they moved on, he said.

'We were assured in April 2000 there would be greater police continuity in Peacehaven. We were told they were in Peacehaven for the long haul for three years. Fifteen months later they were all gone.

'I have been told there was only one police officer on duty in Telscombe and Peacehaven over the holiday period. We are always getting fobbed off with promises.

'We were assured we would have up to six officers in Peacehaven and Telscombe. It has never reached those figures. Peacehaven and Telscombe residents are up in arms.

He added: 'When I look at these figures I am reminded of the words of Oscar Wilde: "Lies, damn lies and statistics".

'In the last three years there have been armed robberies at two off-licences, two building societies and two garages. And this week there was an armed robbery at NatWest.

He called for a more detailed breakdown of crime figures so that individual towns could see how they fared in the crime league, rather than an overall figure for Seahaven. A crime crackdown in Seaford could easily cancel outincidents in Peacehaven, he claimed.

But Newhaven Division Inspector Mark Huff said high visibility policing was already making a difference in Peacehaven and two extra PCs were due to join the Seahaven team. Up to 20 officers from response teams were on call to cover the area.

He added: 'Since January this year our team of two sergeants and eight constables have executed a considerable amount of warrants. We have arrested 32 people for drugs, theft and robbery offences. There was not a single incident on New Year s Eve.

The Mayor of Telscombe, Roy Goodall, and the Deputy Mayor of Newhaven, Denis Forsdike, raised concerns about parking problems.

It was revealed Telscombe, Peacehaven and Newhaven s traffic warden had been transferred to Lewes, leaving the coastal, strip without cover.

Insp Huff said he was addressing the problem by introducing a scheme whereby the Lewes traffic warden would work two days in Peacehaven and Newhaven a week.

Insp Huff will attend a Peacehaven Town Council meeting at the Meridian Centre on Tuesday at 7.30pm. Townsfolk can post questions to be put to him on forms available from the town council offices or at its website, www.peacehavencouncil.co.uk