Residents report anti-social '˜gang'

The incidents of anti-social behaviour are thought to have been caused by a group of young people who are local to the area.

Residents have complained they have been verbally abused and have had their property vandalised.

They said these incidents have been going on for a year and have been reported to the neighbourhood wardens.

These wardens are funded by Horsham District Council and work alongside Upper Beeding and Steyning Parish Councils to deter anti-social behaviour from occuring within the areas.

However, Trevor Cree, 67, from Jarvis Lane, Steyning, believes that the neighbourhood wardens are doing little to deter the anti-social behaviour.

He said: “Whilst our area reportedly has a low level of crime it does not feel like that to all of the individuals who are victim to it.

“I believe that residents may not be reporting incidents to the police or wardens because it is not very straightforward to do so.

“For example, perhaps there should be full contact details for police and wardens, including email addresses, on various notice boards throughout our town.”

At the Steyning Parish Council meeting on Monday, Mr Cree asked why the neighbourhood wardens were not present at the meeting.

He said: “There were over 70 comments made on Facebook and many of them were extremely critical of our neighbourhood wardens whose powers are not fit for purpose and who mainly sat in their car watching the events.”

A spokesperson for Steyning Parish Council responded saying: “The neighbourhood wardens have been advised not to inflame the situation. It is a concern and is believed that the gang is a group of 20-somethings. They are grown adults.”

Upper Beeding Parish Council clerk Steve Coberman said: “We are well aware of the issue and are happy with the way the Neighbourhood Wardens are managing it. Matters have been, and should be, reported to the police as they arise. The parish council has no authority to carry out any policing or enforcement actions.”

Horsham District Council was approached for comment.

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