A pensioner from Hampshire has appeared in court over the death of a Worthing woman in a collision on the A280 in Angmering. Ronald Dossett, 74, of Marks Tey Road in Fareham, was charged with causing the death of Worthing woman Nicola Drummond by careless/inconsiderate driving. Ms Drummond, who was in her 40s, was tragically killed in a three-car collision on the A280 in Angmering on January 17, 2019, when her orange Suzuki collided with Dossett's blue Honda and a white Peugeot. Two children who were passengers in Ms Drummond's vehicle were seriously injured, according to Sussex Police at the time, as was Dossett and his passenger. Ronald Dossett arrives at Worthing Magistrates' Court The driver of the Peugeot suffered minor injuries, police said. Dossett did not enter a plea at Worthing Magistrates' Court today (July 15), but the prosecution argued his driving 'did not fall far short of dangerous' and required sentencing powers beyond magistrates. Chairman of the bench David Worcester said: "We are obviously dealing with a very sensitive case which will involve forensically going through a number of complex issues. "The sensitivity being that a life has been lost. This court has not got sufficient capability and jurisdiction to sentence, should you be found guilty." Mr Worcester ordered Dossett to appear at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday, August 12. He was granted unconditional bail.

A woman from Worthing has tragically died following a collision in Angmering yesterday afternoon (January 17), according to police. Sussex Police are appealing for witnesses after a collision involving three vehicles - an orange Suzuki, blue Honda and white Peugeot - at about 3.50pm on the A280. Police said the driver of the Suzuki, a Worthing woman in her 40s, was taken to Southampton General Hospital where she sadly died from her injuries. Her next of kin have been informed. Two children were passengers in the same vehicle, said police, and suffered serious injuries. They remain in a stable condition in Worthing Hospital. The driver of the Honda and a passenger both suffered serious injuries and were taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital, in Brighton, said police. The driver of the Peugeot was also taken to Worthing Hospital after sustaining minor injuries, police said. Anybody who witnessed the collision is asked to report information either online or by calling 101, quoting Operation Lumley. A280 collision: Driver suffers critical injuries as six people rescued from vehicles A280 Angmering collision: community prays for six people involved.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a stabbing incident at Royal Sussex County Hospital. #crime

In the footage several police cars attend the arrest after officers are confronted by onlookers An officer has been suspended after footage emerged that appears to show police kneeling on a man's neck. Video recorded in Islington, London, shows two officers holding a handcuffed suspect, who is black, on the pavement. A second officer has been removed from operational duty following the arrest on Thursday evening. Deputy Met Police commissioner Sir Steve House said the footage was "extremely disturbing" and had been referred to the police watchdog. The force confirmed it had charged a 45-year-old man with possession of a knife in a public place. Marcus Coutain, of Islington, is due to appear in custody at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court on Saturday. 'Get off my neck' In the footage, shared with the BBC, one of the officers appears to be using his knee to control the suspect and has his hand on the man's head. The man on the ground, who is in handcuffs, repeatedly shouts: "Get off my neck." He is eventually released from the ground and continues to talk to officers after they sit him up. Several police cars arrive at the scene after the arresting officers are confronted by onlookers. An eye witness told the BBC: "I was worried he was going to get executed. That's just how George Floyd got killed. "If not for the crowds filming the police they could have suffocated him or broken his neck. "He was on the floor and in handcuffs, what's the reason for a kneeling on his neck?" Technique 'not taught' Sir Steve said: "The video footage that I have seen today and is circulating on social media is extremely disturbing. "Some of the techniques used cause me great concern - they are not taught in police training. "One officer has been suspended and another officer has been removed from operational duty, but not suspended at this time. This decision will be kept under review." The man had since been seen by a doctor, Scotland Yard said. It has also referred the arrest to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said Sir Steve's comments were highly unusual both in tone and content, particularly because the force had seen police body-worn footage which has not been made publicly available. He added that the former Police Scotland chief constable had complained earlier this week that some officers were being unfairly targeted because of social media clips which did not show the full context of situations. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "I'm deeply concerned about this distressing incident and we have raised this with senior officers at the Met Police as a matter of urgency. "I welcome the fact the incident has been reviewed quickly by the Met and it's right that they have referred it to the IOPC." The IOPC said it would conduct an independent investigation, according to the Met.

A Metropolitan Police officer has been suspended after footage emerged of a suspect being arrested with a knee on his neck in Islington, London. The police voluntarily referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and a police deputy commissioner said the footage was “extremely disturbing.”

Leah Croucher, 19, "effectively vanished into thin air" in Milton Keynes a day after Valentine's Day 2019 - and her devastated brother died nine months after her disappearance. The parents of missing teenager Leah Croucher say their family has been "destroyed" by the unsolved disappearance. Leah "effectively vanished into thin air" in Milton Keynes on February 15 while on her way to work. A wide-scale investigation was launched following the last sighting of Leah, then 19, at around 8.15am. It was previously reported Leah may have met a mystery person on Valentine's Day the night before her disappearance. Parents Claire and John Croucher fear someone may have taken their daughter as they questioned why she would "just disappear" in an anniversary appeal. "Every day I feel like I've given up hope, and it's a big struggle to get that hope back," Mrs Croucher told the PA news agency. "It's more and more difficult because, if someone took Leah for example, she's suffering for 365 days and no one wants that for their child." She told of her family's further heartbreak following the death of Leah's brother, who she says found the disappearance of his sister "very difficult". Haydon Croucher, 24, died in hospital on November 16, the day after the nine-month anniversary of his sister's disappearance. Mrs Croucher said: "They've destroyed our entire family and I don't think they will ever come forward with their information. "As a family, we hold them responsible for Haydon's death as well. He obviously, as everybody knows, he couldn't cope, he found it very difficult. Why do they hate us so much that they've put us through this by keeping quiet? They should do the decent thing and come forward." Mr Croucher added: "Two lives seem to have disappeared. My son has died, my daughter is still missing, we don't know if she's alive or dead. "My family is destroyed. Stop being selfish, please tell the police what you know." It comes as Thames Valley Police revealed that a reward for any information about Leah's whereabouts had been doubled to £10,000. The search for Leah has seen officers visit more than 4,000 homes in Milton Keynes, while officers have deployed specialist search teams, drones and helicopters. Marine units and dive teams have conducted searches of lakes across the town but police say they have found no items relating to the missing woman. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Howard, senior investigating officer, said he "cannot preclude" the theory that Leah had been physically taken or been influenced into going missing. "What I can say is that 12 months into the investigation, I've got no information at all that leads me to reasonably believe that a third party has harmed Leah," he told PA. "But because of the circumstances in which Leah has gone missing, on a Friday morning, on a route that she is known to take consistently, day-time, and has effectively vanished into thin air. "That is really concerning and unusual and because of that, I cannot preclude those theories, even though I've got no information to support them at this time." Police are appealing for information about Leah's movements both on the day of her disappearance and on February 14 between approximately 6pm and 7.30pm, when her whereabouts are still unknown. Leah told her family she was going to a friend's house the evening before she disappeared but did not do so. The force is also looking to establish the identity of a woman seen near Furzton Lake between 9.30am and 11.15am on the day of her disappearance. Three witnesses had reported sightings of a woma of a similar description to Leah "angry, upset and crying", but said they had not been able to confirm it was the missing teenager. Anyone with any information should contact Thames Valley Police, quoting investigation number 43190049929.

A £10,000 reward has been offered for information about Leah Croucher's disappearance The father of a woman who vanished a year ago has threatened to "publicly name" a man he believes is hiding key information about his daughter. Leah Croucher, then 19, disappeared in Milton Keynes on 15 February 2019. A wide-scale investigation was launched in an attempt to find Ms Croucher, who was last seen at about 08:15 GMT in Buzzacott Lane, in the Furzton area. Her father John Croucher said he was aware of "someone who knows something and is hiding it". John Croucher has called on a man to come forward with key information he believes the man is withholding Ms Croucher was last seen by her parents at their home in Quantock Crescent at 22:00 on 14 February. She told her family she was meeting a friend that night but police said the meeting did not happen and have appealed for information on where she was between 18:00 and 19:15. Speaking at a police press conference, Mr Croucher said the "selfish person" needed to come forward as the disappearance was "destroying the family". "I will name him. If the police don't like it, tough. I will name him publicly if he doesn't come forward soon with the information the police need," he said. Police previously released images of boots and the "distinctive" hoodie Leah Croucher was wearing Det Ch Insp Andy Howard, senior investigating officer with Thames Valley Police, said he thought there were friends or associates of Ms Croucher who "potentially hold more information about Leah's life than they are willing to share with the police so far". But he suggested he was less sure those people would also know why she had disappeared. "From our inquiries regarding information on what happened to Leah, I don't believe that necessarily there is someone who holds that information," he said. Ms Croucher's parents said they feared someone may have taken their daughter because they questioned why she would "just disappear". "Every day I feel like I've given up hope, and it's a big struggle to get that hope back," said her mother, Claire Croucher. CCTV footage showed Leah Croucher walking to work on the day she disappeared She told of her family's further heartbreak following the death of Ms Croucher's brother, who she said found the disappearance of his sister "very difficult". Haydon Croucher, 24, died in hospital on 16 November, the day after the nine-month anniversary of his sister's disappearance. Mrs Croucher said: "They've destroyed our entire family and I don't think they will ever come forward with their information." The appeal came as police revealed a reward for any information about Ms Croucher's whereabouts had been doubled to £10,000. Police are looking to establish the identity of a woman seen near Furzton Lake between 09:30 and 11:15 on the day of her disappearance. Anyone with any information should contact Thames Valley Police.

In an anguished Father's Day plea, the dad of Leah Croucher is urging the person who knows what happened to his daughter to finally have the courage to speak out. Ever since Leah went missing more than 16 months ago, her family has been convinced another person was involved in making her mysterious disappearance happen. And they believe that person may have told their grim secret to at least one other person, perhaps a friend or family member, who has been protecting them ever since. "It's time to break your silence. It's time to stop protecting the person responsible for Leah's disappearance. Let her come home to her loving family," said John Croucher. Do you know what happened to Leah? He added: "If you are the person or persons who know why Leah isn't coming home, please do the decent thing and call 101. Tell the police what has stopped her being with her loving family. Our hearts are broken." If you know anything about what happened to Leah, call police immediately on 101. If you want to stay anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Calls are free and you do not need to give any details about yourself. Or, if you prefer to avoid police and Crimestoppers, you can call Missing People charity in confidence on freephone 116 000, email them on 116000@missingpeople.org.uk, or complete their online sightings form anonymously here . There is still a £10,000 reward for any information that will solve the mystery of what happened to shy and home-loving Leah, who was 19 when she vanished on her way to work February 15 2019. Her bank account has never been touched and her phone, switched off shortly after she left her Emerson Valley home that morning, has never been found. Despite extensive searches, no items of her clothing or any other clues have been found. Police appeals have led to dozens of 'sightings' of Leah reported from all over the UK and occasionally abroad. But none of them turned out to be Leah. Just when her family thought their anguish could not get any worse, Leah's brother Haydon died last November at the age of 24. He took his own life because he was so tormented about the lack of progress in finding out what has happened to his sister. This weekend dad John spent Father's Day with just one child, his older daughter Jade. Below, in his own words, is his poignant account of their grief: "I woke this morning with a deeper dread than normal. My second Father's day without you, Leah. My first without you, Haydon. I turned over and stayed in bed for a further two hours. Sleep was intermittent. Finally I had to give in, get up and face the most horrendous day. "Last year was filled with loss that was difficult to bear. But at least I had Jade and Haydon with me, trying their best to distract me. But all I could do was look at the two lovely cards they had bought and feel the deepest sorrow that one was missing. Leah wasn't there to give me a card. The space where her card should have been felt enormous. "This year there is only one card on the side. It looks so lonely and lost. Spending time with Jade in the garden, social distancing, unable to give each other a much needed cuddle, but enjoying the time with her was the highlight of my day and gave me a small boost. Trying our best to keep conversation light and uplifting. Failing miserably. Talking about how Haydon would be telling us the latest conspiracy theories, how he would be stressing about people not following the government guidelines, only to probably break them himself a few times by now. Talking about how Leah would have rolled her eyes, given a huge sigh and a cheeky grin when he had left the room as she delivered some comment about how he was totally over-reacting to the situation. "Lockdown would have been no different for her if she was still here to her normal routine. For someone who rarely went out, life now would have been no different to normal.' John added: "We miss them both so much it is impossible to put it into words. We know people are still looking, still feeling positive for us. We are grateful to each and every one of them."

trying to get mental health services in Milton Keynes to help him The family of Haydon Croucher had desperately tried to get help from the city's mental health services because he was so "tortured" over not knowing what has happened to his missing sister Leah, it has been revealed. Haydon finally received treatment from a mental health unit but was discharged on November 13. The following day, just before the nine month anniversary of Leah's disappearance, his mum and sister found him hanged at his Newton Leys flat. They had gone to the flat because they were concerned about his welfare, an inquest opening heard on Friday. Haydon and Leah were very close. Haydon, 24, was rushed to hospital but never regained consciousness. His family had to make the agonising decision to turn off his life support machine two days later. He inquest heard he died of multiple organ failure. Haydon's mother Tracey Furness, father John Croucher, sister Jade, Haydon's step-mother Claire Croucher and step-father David Furness all sat in a line and joined hands in the inquest room as a show of togetherness and compassion. Tracey Furness said outside the hearing that Haydon had been"tortured" by not knowing what had happened to Leah, and the long and fruitless search to find her had taken a toll on his mental health. Haydon's family held his hand until the end She said: "His sister was something he, of course, was struggling with, it affected his mental health because of the torture he went through. He wanted answers. The day before was the anniversary of Leah being missing for nine months. It was the straw that broke the camel's back." While at the hospital, Haydon's family was given several copies of his handprint in blue ink, and these are expected to feature at his funeral. Tracey said: "We were all holding our hands as we were given Hayden’s last hand print for the funeral. What we have promised as a family is that we are always going to hold each other’s hands, we will go through this together." She said she had been "knocking doors down" to get help for Haydon from mental health services. Leah has been missing for nine months "They knew it was the nine month anniversary of Leah being missing. From the knowledge I have, he was discharged from their services. It will not bring him back but something has to change. He was under mental health services. I was knocking the doors down to get support for my son." Tracey added: "We are trying to be proactive in our grief. Jade set up a Just Giving page working to prevent young suicide. We are trying to raise awareness, I do not want another family to go through this. I do not want to share my grief but I want Haydon to be remembered for him, I want something good to come out of this." The Justgiving page is raising funds for Papyrus, a charity that strives to prevent young suicide and runs a specialist helpline. It states: "Suicide is a preventable death, people need to be aware of that. We need to break the taboo." "On Thursday November 14, our son and brother felt so alone, so lost, so broken that he felt he had no other choice other than to take his own life. Haydon was so consumed with pain and anguish and despite the love around him it wasn’t enough. His mother's love and that of his entire family was not enough. "Finding your son and own brothers lifeless body, both trying in vain to breath air into him. Hearing your own screams between each compression on his chest, begging for him to come back to us and telling him how loved he is. "An image of his beautiful lifeless face forever imprinted in our minds. Haydon may now have found his peace, but for our families we will never be the same." Within days the page has raised more than £1,800. You can donate here. Haydon never gave up hope of finding Leah, who vanished while walking from her Emerson Valley home to work on February 15, the day after Valentine's Day. If you have any information about what has happened to her, call police on 101 or Crimestoppers free on 0800 555 111. Former volunteer Sgt. Dwayne Hards was helping to find Leah Croucher but there was no hope.

Almost 16 months after teenager Leah Croucher vanished on her way to work, police and her family are not a single step nearer discovering what has happened to her. Almost 16 months after teenager Leah Croucher vanished on her way to work, police and her family are not a single step nearer discovering what has happened to her. Leah, who would now be heading towards her 21st birthday in August, disappeared the day after Valentine's Day last year. Though 19 at the time, she was a shy and home-loving teenager and simply not the type to run away and lose contact with her parents, her siblings and aunts, uncles and cousins she adored, say her family. 'Operation Dawlish' was launched and a squad of dozens of police officers was put on the case. Specialist search teams and underwater teams were recruited to scour the area, particularly around Furzton Lake where Leah would have walked to work that morning. The Croucher family and friends trudged around MK themselves, pinning hundreds of 'missing' posters on lampposts and stringing huge banners across bridges. But, despite frequent appeals and several more searches, not a single clue has ever been found. And, with Leah's phone switched off half an hour after she left home that morning, her bank account remaining untouched and her social media accounts frozen in time, there has never been a way to trace her. Her phone remains missing, as does the clothing she was wearing and the bag she was carrying on the morning of February 15 2019. "It is approaching the 16 month anniversary this month and our hopes of finding Leah are diminishing day by day," admitted Leah's dad John Croucher this week. He and his wife Claire have been following the story of Jonathan Dolton, the young Milton Keynes man who disappeared from his home in February 2002, at the age of 21. Though a man was convinced of his manslaughter two years later, Jonathan's body has never been found. "We read about his family who've had 18 years of worry and we feel such sorrow for the pain they have had to endure for all this time. Is that what we have to endure as well? It's a terrifying and depressing prospect," said John. Halfway through the Croucher family's ordeal, they were struck by massive tragedy when John's only son Haydon died last November. The 24-year-old had been tortured by the lack of progress in finding his sister, and despite seeking help from local mental health services, he took his own life. Through their grief, the family harboured a ray of hope that Leah, if she was deliberately in hiding, would turn up to the funeral of the half brother she loved so much. But it was not to be. In February this year, the Crouchers threw themselves into a huge anniversary appeal organised by police and publicised by national television and newspapers. Once again, reports of sightings of Leah trickled in from all over the country - but none of them turned out to be her. Leah was 19 when she vanished while walking to work "We have no new news to give you, I'm afraid. I wish we had," said John this week. "The only contact we have had with the police since the 12 month anniversary is when an item was found in Furzton lake the other week." The item turned out to be nothing to do with Leah. Since then, with national publicity about Leah drying up during the Covid-19 crisis, the Croucher's despair has only deepened. "Obviously we have the same worry about family and coronavirus as everyone else does, but we have the added worry about Leah. If she has run away and is out there somewhere, how is she keeping herself safe? Is she is one of the fatalities of Covid-19? How would we know?" said John. Leah's aunt Teresa Nicholls said the whole family was still "in turmoil" daily not knowing where Leah is. " What or who is stopping her from coming home or even letting us know she is safe? This is not Leah -she’s not the girl that would willingly put her family though this. "It’s honestly devastating and we just feel numb waiting for her to come home where she belongs, where she is loved beyond words. For her parents it’s a living nightmare.... pure hell. "All the time Leah is still missing she is always at the forefront of our minds. We look everywhere and anywhere for any signs or sightings of her...Someone, somewhere knows something. Please, please come forward and help." Teresa's last sentence sums up the family's desperate message over the past 16 months - someone, somewhere knows something. It is highly unlikely that a young girl as unworldly wise as Leah could stage her own disappearance so expertly. Therefore is highly probable that someone helped her or perhaps took her with force. After this length of time, Leah's parents have only two possible theories - that Leah is no longer alive or that she is being held somewhere against her will. But either way, they say, at least one other person must have been involved. And either way, Leah's family wants her home where she belongs. Despite a £10,000 reward on offer, so far nobody has come forward, even anonymously, to help put the Crouchers out of their misery. If you have any information, however small or insignificant you think it may be, please contact Thames Valley Police on 101, or by reporting online - quoting reference 43190049929 or 'Operation Dawlish'. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or you can pass information to them online here A spokesman for Crimestoppers said: "Your anonymity is 100% guaranteed. We are not interested in who you are, only what you know so the more detail you give us the better. We really appreciate your time and help."

A man has been arrested after two people were assaulted and robbed at gunpoint in Worthing town centre. According to Sussex Police, officers were called to Montague Street at around 12.40am this morning (July 13) by two men who said they had been approached and threatened by a man holding what appeared to be a gun. The man used the object to assault the two men, police said, causing facial injuries that required hospital treatment. Police have described the man as black, in his late 30s, with a short beard and short black hair, wearing black jogging bottoms gathered at the bottom, a grey hooded jumper and trainers. Police He was riding a blue mountain bike, police added. He was reported to be in the company of a second man, described by police as white, around 40 years old, unshaven and wearing a grey hooded jumper and jogging bottoms also gathered at the bottom. He was riding a purple bicycle, police added. Police said officers also received reports of a third man being assaulted and robbed by the same suspect, but have been unable to make contact with the alleged victim. A suspect was arrested in Brighton Road in Worthing by police using a Taser. He was arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody, police said. Officers are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident, or who saw men matching either description in the area at the time. They are also keen to hear from any other victims. Anyone with any information is asked to contact police online or by calling 101 quoting Operation Duffield. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. WCN news

Plans to extensively renovate the Southern Pavilion on Worthing pier have been progressing despite the pandemic, the new owner has said. The cafe closed in October last year, shortly after it was taken over by Alex Hole, owner of the Perch cafe on Lancing seafront. At the time, he said a full renovation and rebrand was planned for the iconic Art Deco building. Giving an update, he said plans for the works have been progressing over the last few months and the team will be soon be submitting a planning application. This will seek permission to refurbish the interior of the listed building, with changes including a tripling of the amount of kitchen space. Mr Hole said: “Hospitality has been seriously affected by the pandemic. “We’ve been working throughout the pandemic on the plans, but it’s slowed considerably. “We’ve managed to keep a budget throughout the pandemic to complete the renovation works. “We are still keen on the project going ahead.” As to when the cafe will reopen, he said it was too early to say and depended on how long the planning process took. “We want the work we do there to last,” he said. “I am pretty confident that we will get there. But it’s not a quick project.” The Southern Pavilion was opened as a bistro and function space in April 2014 after renovation, having previously been a nightclub since 2007. Mr Hole has previously said that he wanted the cafe to have ‘a similar feel’ to the Perch in Lancing, adding: “People should be able to recognise the Perch brand and style.”

Greece could bring back some lockdown measures, following a spike in coronavirus cases after welcoming back tourists into the country. In Greece, more than 3,800 have been confirmed to have the virus. This is the highest number of active Covid-19 cases in the country since the start of the pandemic. On 10 July, the daily number of new cases peaked for the first time since 21 April, with 60 new confirmed infections. Since restarting the tourism industry on 1 July, the country has seen over 100 new positive cases in the last 10 days from foreign tourists. How soon could the new lockdown measures be introduced? UK flights to Greece were permitted to restart from Wednesday 15 July, allowing tourists to return to the popular holiday destination. However, Greek authorities have since warned of reintroducing stricter lockdown measures. Stelios Petsas, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and Government Spokesman, said, "We knew from the beginning that when we gradually opened the country's gates to the world, we would have imported incidents." He added that the government is "determined to protect the majority from the frivolous few." What measures could be brought back? According to the UK government website, the current rules in place state any passenger entering Greece is “liable to be asked to undergo a test” and they must “wear face masks at all times when on an aeroplane or ferry travelling to or from Greece; and whilst at airports.” However, the Greek authorities have said they could reimpose stricter public and travel restrictions, due to government safety advice being frequently ignored. The government there has not yet confirmed the exact lockdown measures they would bring back. These could possibly include stricter border checks, potential travel restrictions from high risk countries and tougher, more frequent bar and restaurant inspections. Serbian tourists are currently banned from entering Greece for all but essential travel, after health officials confirmed a spike in cases in the Balkan country. Additional testing is already occurring at the Greek-Bulgarian border and, as of 14 July, Bulgarians crossing the border into Greece must provide proof that they have tested negative for coronavirus within the last 72 hours, after the country registered a daily record of 330 new infections in one day last week.

"As we approach the end of the summer term, I have been reflecting on the uncertainties that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused for our school children, their parents, carers and school staff." My children are in their thirties now but thinking back to when they were at school, I don’t envy parents and carers currently trying to balance work responsibilities with children’s home learning support. I am sure many children will have found it difficult to concentrate on learning at home as well as being away from their friends for over three months. Of course, some children have been back to school which will have helped but even for them, I’m sure they have missed being part of the wider school community. I am all too aware that for some children the pandemic may have caused additional worries and concerns. Being away from friends and not in the routine that school provides will have undoubtedly affected some young people. During the past few months county council officers have been working with the schools in order to provide them with guidance and tools to support children and their families and carers and help them manage these unusual circumstances. Having kept in close contact with a number of headteachers during this pandemic, I appreciate that many of them and their colleagues and governors have been working flat out since March in order to meet their children’s needs. During the Easter holidays and the recent half term, many did not take any time off so that they could keep their schools open for key worker and vulnerable children. The response of our West Sussex school staff is another fine example of the community spirit that we have seen throughout the county since the beginning of the pandemic. I am extremely grateful and most appreciative of everything that our school staff have done for their pupils. As such, I hope that they will all enjoy their much-needed break during the summer months. As we look ahead to September, it is welcome news that the Government has decided that all children will be able to return to school. Each school is different and there will now be a lot of detailed planning by school leaders and governors to prepare for the safe return of their children. This will be no mean feat and the county council will continue to be in regular contact with schools to help and support them through this process. Some children will no doubt have mixed emotions about returning to school in September, particularly those starting at a new school. Many will be excited about moving onto the next stage of their educational journey whilst understandably others will be a little more cautious. However, our school staff are highly experienced in managing a whole range of feelings and I know that they will do all they can to welcome and reassure, not only their new pupils, but also those returning for a new academic year. So, as schools prepare to take a summer break, I wanted to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all children, parents and carers, headteachers, teaching and support staff, governors and everyone connected with West Sussex schools. All of you have just been through an extremely challenging and difficult few months. However, you have risen to the challenge and you should be justifiably proud of everything you have achieved. I wish you all a very happy, healthy and safe summer break.

A man has suffered a punctured lung after coming to the defence of a woman being attacked in Shoreham. Police say the 55-year-old was assaulted when he went to an outbuilding of a house in Nicolson Drive after hearing screams from a woman who herself had been attacked. Four masked people, believed to be all male, kicked in the door of the outbuilding a few minutes before 10pm on Tuesday (February 11) – assaulting the woman and a man who was with her and demanding money. The victim went to her aid from the house and, during a struggle with one of the suspects, was stabbed several times causing injuries which included a punctured lung. The victim was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton for surgery. Police say he is described as in a stable condition. During the attack, the victim managed to hit one of the group who is thought to have suffered injuries to his face or mouth and may even have loosened or lost teeth. The group were all dressed in face masks or balaclavas. Sussex Police say, while it is thought the location was not randomly targeted, no motive for the incident has yet been established. The suspects are thought to have made off in a vehicle which may have been parked at the top of Rosslyn Avenue. A spokesperson for the force said, “This was a violent attack involving a knife and the investigating officers would like anyone who witnessed anything suspicious, including a group of four people, in the area around 10pm or who has any information about the incident to report online or call 101 quoting Operation Waterway.” WCN news

Three more people have been arrested following the stabbing of a man in Shoreham. A 55-year-old local man suffered serious injuries after being stabbed at an outbuilding in Nicholson Drive, Shoreham, at around 10pm on Tuesday, February 11. Nineteen-year-old Jordan Bell, unemployed, of Grafton Gardens in Sompting, was arrested shortly after and charged with attempted murder, said police. He has been remanded in custody and is awaiting a court trial in August. Earlier this month, police carried out three warrants in Lancing and arrested two 18-year-old men and a 19-year-old on suspicion of aggravated burglary in connection with the incident. One of the 18-year-old suspects was also arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods. They have all been released under investigation while further enquiries are carried out. Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the incident and anyone with information is asked to report online or call 101, quoting Operation Waterway. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report online.

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Worthing has seen a bigger rise in new cases of the virus than Adur over the last week. Eight new cases were recorded in Worthing over the last seven days, bringing the total number of cases in the borough up to 403, according to the figures from Public Health England. During the previous week (July 3 to 10), it saw just one new case of the virus Meanwhile Adur has seen two new cases in the last week, bringing the total number of cases in the district to 187 as of today (Friday, July 17). During the previous week, it only saw one new case of the virus. Overall in West Sussex, the total number of cases in West Sussex stands at 2,729 – up 27 from last Friday. The figures include positive results from tests carried out in NHS settings, such as labs and hospitals, as well as at home or at drive-through centres.

"Scrapping traditional desks could improve workers' performance and health," reports the Mail Online. The amount of time people spend sitting down has been linked to poor health and long-term medical conditions. Many office workers spend much of their day seated, which could have a harmful effect on their health. A study of 146 NHS office workers found that providing adjustable desks that allowed them to sit or stand led to a reduction in daily sitting time of more than an hour, after 12 months of use. The desks were provided as part of a wider programme that included goal setting and coaching to encourage people to sit less at work, especially for long uninterrupted periods. The study also found that workers provided with adjustable desks reported better job performance, reduced sickness at work, less anxiety and improved quality of life. However, the size of the study means we can't be sure of the accuracy of these secondary outcomes. Find out more about the benefits of physical activity. Where did the story come from? The study was carried out by researchers from Leicester General Hospital and Loughborough University in the UK and the University of Southern Queensland and Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Australia. It was funded by Loughborough University, the Department of Health and the National Institute of Health Research. It was published in the British Medical Journal on an open-access basis so it is free to read online. Most of the UK media reports focused on the improved work performance reported by people with adjustable desks. However, this finding relied on people's responses to one question in the group of tests and outcomes measured in the study, and represents a relatively small change (0.5 on a scale of 1 to 7), the significance of which is unclear. What kind of research was this? This was a cluster randomised controlled trial. The workers were in small offices within a large organisation, and randomly assigned at office level. Researchers wanted to find out if a programme including adjustable desks could reduce time spent sitting during the working day, as well as during the full day (ie outside of work). What did the research involve? Researchers recruited office-based workers at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, who were sitting and working more than half the time. They randomised the workers in office-based clusters to continue as usual (control group) or take part in a programme designed to reduce sitting (Stand More AT Work or SMArT programme), where adjustable desks were provided. Participants wore monitoring devices on their thighs for 7 consecutive days at the start of the study. They wore them again for the same time period after 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. The devices collected information about whether a person was standing, sitting or walking. At the same time, they wore accelerometers to measure their physical activity levels. Participants also filled in questionnaires and carried out tests designed to look at work-related health and performance, musculoskeletal problems and mental health. The SMArT programme included: support and messages from the chief executive of the trust so everyone knew it was backed by senior management group training in the health benefits of reducing sitting provision of adjustable desks and training in how to use them feedback on how much people sat at the start of the study, with encouragement to set goals to reduce sitting coaching sessions at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months What were the basic results? The results showed that people in the SMArT group reduced the amount of time they spent sitting down at work, and sitting down overall, when measured at 3, 6 and 12 months. After a year: people in the SMArT group sat for 82 minutes less per day at work than those in the control group (adjusted mean difference -81.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) -112.27 to -51.01) people in the SMArT group sat for 82 minutes less per day overall, suggesting that the reduction in overall sitting time was down to sitting at work, not during the rest of the day (adjusted mean difference -82.39, 95% CI -114.54 to -50.26) The reduction in sitting time was mirrored by an increase in standing time. People in the SMArT group did not increase their physical activity levels over the course of the study, or their time spent walking. Looking at the work-related measures, researchers found after 12 months: an increase in engagement at work for the SMArT group (0.44 adjusted difference on a scale of 0 to 6, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.61) an increase in self-reported job performance for the SMArT group (0.53 adjusted difference on a scale of 1 to 7, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.86) a reduction in "presenteeism" (working while performance is impaired by health problems) for the SMArT group (0.25 adjusted difference on a scale of 1 to 5, 95% CI -0.08 to 0.58) There was no difference in job satisfaction or sickness absence from work. Researchers also found a small reduction in some types of musculoskeletal problems among the SMArT group. How did the researchers interpret the results? The researchers said their results showed the SMArT programme "was able to reduce occupational and daily sitting time in the short, medium and longer term in office workers within the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust." They added that it "appeared to have a positive impact on musculoskeletal conditions and many work-related outcomes". Conclusion It's difficult to follow advice to sit down less and be more active when you work in a traditional office environment, where you are expected to work on a computer, sitting at a desk for most of the day. So the introduction of adjustable desks, which allow people to work standing up as well as sitting down, could make a big difference to a lot of people. The study shows that it is possible to reduce the amount of time people spend sitting by an hour or more a day. However, this was as part of a big organisation-wide study, involving coaching, goal-setting and monitoring, as well as provision of equipment. We don't know if people would have reduced their sitting time as much if they had been provided with adjustable desks and simply left to get on with it. Another question is how much of a health impact the intervention actually had. While reduced sitting time is likely to be an improvement, the programme didn't increase the time people spent being physically active. Swapping sitting for standing may not have an enormous health impact, compared to introducing more activity into the day. There are a few limitations to the study to be aware of: People tend to change their behaviour when they know they are being monitored. It's possible the SMArT group spent more time standing during the days they were wearing the monitor, than when they were not monitored. Quite a lot of people dropped out of the study (27%), mainly in the control group. The researchers measured many different outcomes, but the recruited sample was only large enough to detect differences in the main outcome of time spent sitting. Other secondary outcomes, such as physical activity, work performance or musculoskeletal problems, are less likely to be reliable and some results may be positive by chance. Nevertheless, this is an interesting study and the results show it is possible to make a fairly big difference in the time spent sitting down with the use of adjustable desks. The question now is whether this could be repeated in other workplaces, and whether other programmes might encourage people to be more active, rather than just to swap sitting for standing. Links to the headlines Standing desks 'boost work performance' BBC News, 11 October 2018 Standing desks will improve productivity, study by University of leicester in BMJ finds The Daily Telegraph, 11 October 2018 Replacing regular desks with standing work stations increases engagement in staff and means less joint and bone pain, medical chiefs claim Mail Online, 10 October 2018 Links to the science Edwardson CL, Yates T, Biddle SJH, et al. Effectiveness of the Stand More AT (SMArT) work intervention: cluster randomised controlled trial Partial Credit: NHS

Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a common condition that causes the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood to become too high. It can cause symptoms like excessive thirst, needing to pee a lot and tiredness. It can also increase your risk of getting serious problems with your eyes, heart and nerves. It's a lifelong condition that can affect your everyday life. You may need to change your diet, take medicines and have regular check-ups. It's caused by problems with a chemical in the body (hormone) called insulin. It's often linked to being overweight or inactive, or having a family history of type 2 diabetes. Information:Advice during the coronavirus outbreak Diabetes UK: updates about coronavirus NHS helpline for adults who use insulin: call 0345 123 2399 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm) Check if you have type 2 diabetes Many people have type 2 diabetes without realising. This is because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include: peeing more than usual, particularly at night feeling thirsty all the time feeling very tired losing weight without trying to itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush cuts or wounds taking longer to heal blurred vision You're more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you: are over 40 (or 25 for south Asian people) have a close relative with diabetes (such as a parent, brother or sister) are overweight or obese are of south Asian, Chinese, African Caribbean or black African origin (even if you were born in the UK) Start Are you at risk of type 2 diabetes? Diabetes is a long-term condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high. In the UK, about 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.  Take this short test to discover your risk of having or developing type 2 diabetes .About this tool Type 2 diabetes self-assessment Non-urgent advice:See a GP if: you have any of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes you're worried you may have a higher risk of getting it Your GP can diagnose diabetes. You'll need a blood test, which you may have to go to your local health centre for if it cannot be done at your GP surgery. The earlier diabetes is diagnosed and treatment started, the better. Early treatment reduces your risk of other health problems. Information: Coronavirus update: how to contact a GP It's still important to get help from a GP if you need it. To contact your GP surgery: visit their website use the NHS App call them Find out about using the NHS during coronavirus Type 2 diabetes is often diagnosed following blood or urine tests for something else. However, you should see your GP straight away if you have any symptoms of diabetes. To find out if you have type 2 diabetes, you usually have to go through the following steps: See your GP about your symptoms. Your GP will check your urine and arrange a blood test to check your blood sugar levels. It usually takes about 1 to 2 days for the results to come back. If you have diabetes, your GP will ask you to come in again so they can explain the test results and what will happen next. If you're diagnosed with diabetes What your GP will discuss with you during your appointment depends on the diagnosis and the treatment they recommend. Generally, they'll talk to you about: what diabetes is what high blood sugar means for your health what medicine you'll have to take your diet and exercise your lifestyle – for example, alcohol and smoking Important Your GP will do their best to discuss the diagnosis with you, but this first appointment might only be 10 to 15 minutes. If you have questions about your diagnosis It's usually difficult to take in everything the GP tells you during the appointment. Talk to family and friends about what the GP told you, and write down any questions you have. Then make another GP appointment and take your list of questions with you. There's also a lot of information on diabetes available. What happens after the diagnosis Usually, the following things happen after your diagnosis: Your GP will prescribe medicine. It might take time for you to get used to the medicine and to find the right doses for you. You might need to make changes to your diet and be more active. You'll have to go for regular type 2 diabetes check-ups. You'll have to look out for certain signs to avoid other health problems. Ask your GP about a free education course for type 2 diabetes. Medicines for type 2 diabetes Most people need medicine to control their type 2 diabetes. Medicine helps keep your blood sugar level as normal as possible to prevent health problems. You may have to take it for the rest of your life. Diabetes usually gets worse over time, so your medicine or dose may need to change. Adjusting your diet and being active is also necessary to keep your blood sugar level down. Getting the right medicine for you Diabetes medicines help lower the amount of sugar in your blood. Important There are many types of medicine for type 2 diabetes. It can take time to find a medicine and dose that's right for you. You'll usually be offered a medicine called metformin first. If your blood sugar levels are not lower within 3 months, you may need another medicine. Over time, you may need a combination of medicines. Your GP or diabetes nurse will recommend the medicines most suitable for you. Insulin is not often used for type 2 diabetes in the early years. It's only needed when other medicines no longer work. Diabetes UK has more information about taking medicines for type 2 diabetes. Taking your medicine Your GP or diabetes nurse will explain how to take your medicine and how to store it. If you need to inject insulin, they'll show you how. Side effects Your diabetes medicine may cause side effects. These can include: bloating and diarrhoea weight loss or weight gain feeling sick swollen ankles Not everyone has side effects. If you feel unwell after taking medicine or notice any side effects, speak to your GP or diabetes nurse. Do not stop taking medication without getting advice. How to get free prescriptions for diabetes medicine You're entitled to free prescriptions for your diabetes medicine. To claim your free prescriptions, you'll need to apply for an exemption certificate. To do this: fill in a form at your GP surgery you should get the certificate in the post about a week later – it'll last for 5 years take it to your pharmacy with your prescriptions Save your receipts if you have to pay for diabetes medicine before you receive your exemption certificate. You can claim the money back. Travelling with diabetes medicines If you're going on holiday: pack extra medicine – speak to your diabetes nurse about how much to take carry your medicine in your hand luggage just in case checked-in bags go missing or get damaged if you're flying with a medicine you inject, get a letter from your GP that says you need it to treat diabetes. Staying healthy if you have type 2 diabetes A healthy diet and keeping active will help you manage your blood sugar level. It'll also help you control your weight and generally feel better. You can eat many types of foods There's nothing you cannot eat if you have type 2 diabetes, but you'll have to limit certain foods. You should: eat a wide range of foods – including fruit, vegetables and some starchy foods like pasta keep sugar, fat and salt to a minimum eat breakfast, lunch and dinner every day – do not skip meals If you need to change your diet, it might be easier to make small changes every week. Information about food can be found on these diabetes sites: food for people with diabetes tips on eating with your family and eating out recipes for people with diabetes food and nutrition message board Important You should go for a regular diabetes check-up once a year to make sure your blood pressure and cholesterol (blood fats) are OK. Help with changing your diet If you find it hard to change your diet, a dietitian might be able to help. Talk to your GP or diabetes nurse to see if the cost could be covered through the NHS. Being active lowers your blood sugar level Physical exercise helps lower your blood sugar level. You should aim for 2.5 hours of activity a week. You can be active anywhere as long as what you're doing gets you out of breath. This could be: fast walking climbing stairs doing more strenuous housework or gardening The charity Diabetes UK has tips on how to get active. Your weight is important Losing weight (if you're overweight) will make it easier for your body to lower your blood sugar level, and can improve your blood pressure and cholesterol. To know whether you're overweight, work out your body mass index (BMI). If you need to lose weight, try to do it slowly over time. Aim for around 0.5 to 1kg a week. The charity Diabetes UK has more information on healthy weight and weight loss. Type 2 diabetes check-ups help to make sure your condition doesn't lead to other health problems. Every 3 months Blood sugar checks (HbA1C test) Checks your average blood sugar levels and how close they are to normal. You have these checks every 3 months when newly diagnosed, then every 6 months once you're stable. This can be done by your GP or diabetes nurse. Once a year Feet Checks if you've lost any feeling in your feet, and for ulcers and infections. This can be done by your GP, diabetes nurse or podiatrist. Speak to your GP immediately if you have cuts, bruises or numbness in your feet. Eyes Checks for damage to blood vessels in your eyes. Speak to your GP immediately if you have blurred vision. Blood pressure, cholesterol and kidneys Checks for high blood pressure, heart and kidney disease. This can be done by your GP or diabetes nurse. Why it's important to have these check-ups. You need to keep an eye on your health and have regular check-ups if you have type 2 diabetes because it can lead to: heart disease and stroke loss of feeling and pain (nerve damage) – causing problems with sex foot problems – like sores and infections vision loss and blindness miscarriage and stillbirth problems with your kidneys Controlling your blood sugar level and having regular diabetes check-ups is the best way to lower your risk of complications. Getting your heart checked You should have your cholesterol (blood fats) and blood pressure checked at least once a year. Diabetes increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, so it's important that high blood pressure and high cholesterol are spotted and treated early. If you're already being treated for high cholesterol and high blood pressure, keep taking your medicine. Diabetes also worsens the effects of smoking on your heart. Get help to quit smoking. Loss of feeling You should let your GP or diabetes nurse know if you notice any changes in your body. Diabetes can damage your nerves (neuropathy). This usually affects your feet, but it can affect other parts of your body, causing: numbness pain or tingling problems with sex constipation or diarrhoea Early treatment can prevent nerve damage getting worse. Looking after your feet You should check your feet every day. Diabetes can reduce the blood supply to your feet and cause a loss of feeling. This means foot injuries don't heal well and you may not notice if your foot is sore or injured. These problems can lead to ulcers and infections. Simple things are important, like: keeping feet clean and dry to avoid infection trying not to go barefoot outside to avoid nicks and cuts wearing shoes that fit well Speak to your GP or diabetes nurse if you notice any changes in your feet, including: cuts, cracks or blisters pain or tingling numb feet Diabetes UK has advice on how to check your feet. Your feet should also be checked every year by your GP, diabetes nurse or podiatrist. Sores or infections that aren't treated early can lead to gangrene. More than 135 amputations resulting from diabetes are carried out every week in the UK. Checking your eyes Your eyes should be checked every year for damaged blood vessels, which can cause sight problems (diabetic retinopathy) and blindness. Eye checks can detect damage before it affects your sight. Treating damaged blood vessels early can prevent sight problems. Speak to your GP immediately if you notice changes to your sight, including: blurred vision, especially at night shapes floating in your vision (floaters) sensitivity to light Pregnancy and diabetes Speak to your GP or care team if you're thinking of having a baby. You can have a safe pregnancy and birth if you have type 2 diabetes. But you will need to take extra precautions and have more appointments before and during pregnancy. There is a lot of information and support available for type 2 diabetes. Some of the support depends on the area you live in. Take a course to help you manage your diabetes There are free education courses to help you learn more about and manage your type 2 diabetes. Your GP will need to refer you, but you can phone your GP surgery to get a referral letter, so you don't need to make an appointment. Read more information about education courses for type 2 diabetes. Telling DVLA you have type 2 diabetes If you're taking insulin for your type 2 diabetes, you will need to tell DVLA. This is because of the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). You can be fined if you don't tell DVLA. Support groups for type 2 diabetes The charity Diabetes UK runs local support groups. These can help with things like managing your diabetes on a daily basis, diet, exercise or dealing with emotional problems, such as depression. They offer a place to talk and find out how others live with the condition. Blogs, forums and apps Diabetes.co.uk forum – discussions about living with and managing diabetes Diabetes UK blogs – a collection of blogs on work and diabetes, food, eyes and more Diabetes Chat – scheduled chats with healthcare professionals or just the chance to talk to others NHS Apps Library – find apps and tools to help you manage your diabetes, including some that link you to a lifestyle coach Telling others can be difficult It can be difficult to tell others you have diabetes, but it can help for certain people to know: family can support you – especially as you will need to make changes to what you eat it's important your colleagues or employer know in case of an emergency being diagnosed with diabetes can affect your mood – telling your partner will help them understand how you feel Carry medical ID in case of an emergency Some people choose to wear a special wristband or carry something in their wallet that says they have diabetes, in case of an emergency. If it's known that you have diabetes, this can make a difference to the treatment you'll receive. Search the internet for "medical ID" to find websites that sell them. Information:Social care and support guide If you: need help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability care for someone regularly because they're ill, elderly or disabled – including family members Our guide to care and support explains your options and where you can get support.

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high. There are 2 main types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes – where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin type 2 diabetes – where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body's cells do not react to insulin Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. In the UK, around 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2. During pregnancy, some women have such high levels of blood glucose that their body is unable to produce enough insulin to absorb it all. This is known as gestational diabetes. Information:Advice during the coronavirus outbreak Diabetes UK: updates about coronavirus NHS helpline for adults who use insulin: call 0345 123 2399 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm) Pre-diabetes Many more people have blood sugar levels above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is sometimes known as pre-diabetes. If your blood sugar level is above the normal range, your risk of developing full-blown diabetes is increased. It's very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible because it will get progressively worse if left untreated. When to see a doctor Visit your GP as soon as possible if you experience the main symptoms of diabetes, which include: feeling very thirsty peeing more frequently than usual, particularly at night feeling very tired weight loss and loss of muscle bulk itching around the penis or vagina, or frequent episodes of thrush cuts or wounds that heal slowly blurred vision Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days. Many people have type 2 diabetes for years without realising because the early symptoms tend to be general. Causes of diabetes The amount of sugar in the blood is controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas (a gland behind the stomach). When food is digested and enters your bloodstream, insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into cells, where it's broken down to produce energy. However, if you have diabetes, your body is unable to break down glucose into energy. This is because there's either not enough insulin to move the glucose, or the insulin produced does not work properly. There are no lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk of type 1 diabetes. You can help manage type 2 diabetes through healthy eating, regular exercise and achieving a healthy body weight. Read about how to reduce your diabetes risk. Living with diabetes If you're diagnosed with diabetes, you'll need to eat healthily, take regular exercise and carry out regular blood tests to ensure your blood glucose levels stay balanced. You can use the BMI healthy weight calculator to check whether you're a healthy weight. You can find apps and tools in the NHS Apps Library to help you manage your diabetes and have a healthier lifestyle. People diagnosed with type 1 diabetes also require regular insulin injections for the rest of their life. As type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, medicine may eventually be required, usually in the form of tablets. Read about: treating type 1 diabetes treating type 2 diabetes Diabetic eye screening Everyone with diabetes aged 12 or over should be invited to have their eyes screened once a year. If you have diabetes, your eyes are at risk from diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can lead to sight loss if it's not treated. Screening, which involves a 30-minute check to examine the back of the eyes, is a way of detecting the condition early so it can be treated more effectively. Read more about diabetic eye screening.

An appeal to help a Worthing family-of-four get back on their feet after a devastating fire has raised thousands of pounds. An appeal to help a Worthing family-of-four get back on their feet after a devastating fire has raised thousands of pounds. Eloisa said her eldest son, 17, was at home when the fire broke out in the boys’ bedroom and he raised the alarm at around 12pm. Eloisa said: “He was crying over the phone – I thought he was making a prank. “The next minute, the voice was a fireman telling me my son was safe and they were trying to get the fire under control. I ran straight home.” When she arrived, three fire engines were tackling the blaze and police had closed the road. Eventually the officers let her past to be with her son, who was still in tears. Apart from minor burns to his hands, no-one in the block was hurt. Crews left at 5pm. Eloisa said: “After the fire was out, I saw what the damage was like. It is devastating really. Everything that we worked hard for was gone in one snap.” The fire service said five square metres was damaged by fire, which was thought to have been caused by a candle. This included all the boys’ clothes and possessions; but the smoke had wrecked most of the family’s belongings and they did not have contents insurance. Eloisa said: “It is a lesson learned. If anybody does not have it, they need to be aware.” But thanks to her boss at the Progress Housing disability care home in Nursery Lane, Worthing, and the kindness of local people, the family have a way to begin rebuilding their lives.

A Wimpy restaurant has lost its alcohol licence after a catalogue of breaches uncovered after an attempted rape on the premises, the city council has confirmed. A panel of three Brighton and Hove City Councillors agreed the multiple problems occurring during a short period at the Portslade branch was too severe for a yellow card warning. Sussex Police called for a review into Wimpy’s licence after the attempted rape at the Station Road business on March 8. Investigations revealed two of the three staff working at the site were undocumented illegal immigrants, councillors were told last week. The panel heard how officers also discovered the designated premises supervisor Ketheesan Tharmasseelan, who is supposed to have day-to-day responsibility for alcohol on the premises, did not realise he was responsible for the Portslade outlet. Brighton and Hove City Council licensing department sent a formal warning to the premises licence holder Kapilraj Vigneswaran in January after a routine licence check found there was no evidence of working CCTV or record of staff training. Mr Vigneswaran took over the licence in October 2019 and did not declare a drink-driving conviction, which is another breach of licensing law, the licensing panel was told. During the review hearing on Tuesday July 7, Sussex Police’s barrister Peter Savill told the three-councillor licensing panel the attempted rape was a ‘ghastly demonstration’ of what could happen when licence holders fail to obey the rules. Mr Vigneswaran’s barrister Duncan Craig said his client had installed CCTV after receiving the warning letter, but this was removed before the offence. In its decision, the panel said: “Overall in relation to this review the panel find the evidence of the police and those supporting the review to be compelling and proof of a complete failure of management in relation to these premises which has had serious consequences and undermined the licensing objectives. “The panel appreciates that the licence holder was not in the country at the time of the incident on 8 March, but the management of the premises remained his responsibility, and it was his failure to discharge that responsibility and manage the premises in accordance with the legal requirements that led to the incident. “He did not, for example, have a working app connected to the CCTV system when he went to India, which was, as it turned out, a very significant failure.” Mr Craig asked for a three-month suspension, but the panel did not consider this action appropriate considering the number of serious failures within less than six months. Mr Vigneswaran has 21 days to appeal the decision. Store manager Peraslingam Nanthvavaraman, 40, of Sheppard Way, Portslade, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to the attempted rape charge, the licensing panel was told. He is treated as an absconder by the Immigration, Compliance and Enforcement service after overstaying a visitor’s visa in 2010, according to the council. WCN news

Adur District Council has identified 10 small sites of council-owned land in the area which could be redeveloped into housing. Most of the sites are currently home to blocks of garages, many of which are in a poor condition and too small for modern cars, the council said. The new homes would be for local people on the council’s housing register. Adur Homes has around 700 people on its housing waiting list in need of housing and urgently needs to find sites for affordable housing development, the council said. A consultation is currently being held into the proposals for three of the ten sites. Due to the coronavirus, no face-to-face consultations can be held, and so residents are being asked to have their say online. The three sites currently being consulted on are all garage sites in Lancing, located at Daniel Close, Gravelly Crescent and Shadwells Road. At the Daniel Close site, the council is proposing nine new homes, two new parking areas and an open space. The homes would consist of two three-bed houses for a wheelchair user and seven two-bed family houses. Three houses to the north of the site would be accessed from Daniel Close, while six further houses to the south of the site would be accessed directly from Mash Barn Lane. At Gravelly Crescent, the council is proposing to build seven new houses, in addition to a new parking area with opportunity for further parking or a landscaped open space. These properties would consist of four three-bed homes and three two-bed family houses. At Shadwells Road, six new houses have been proposed, in addition to a new parking area with opportunity for further parking or a landscaped open space. These homes would be made up of one three-bed house for a wheelchair user and five two-bed family houses. Residents have until Friday, July 24, to have their say on the proposals for the three sites – see the consultation documents here. After this, consultations will be held on the other sites identified for redevelopment, which include: – Sylvan Road East in Lancing – Sylvan Road West in Lancing – Leconfield Road in Lancing – St Giles Close in Shoreham – Wilmot Road in Shoreham – 60 Brighton Road in Southwick – Gardner Road/St Aubyns in Fishersgate Following the public consultation this summer, it is expected that a planning application will be submitted this winter. If planning permission is granted in Spring of next year, the homes could be completed by summer 2022.

Three Worthing teenagers have been arrested after a boy was concussed in a vicious attack. Sussex Police said the boy, 14, had been at the Lyons Farm recreation ground when he was attacked between 11pm and midnight last night (July 16). According to police, he suffered head injuries and concussion and was taken to hospital for treatment, but has since been released. Police said a 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent; a 16-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating, attempt to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and handling stolen goods; and a 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent and affray. All three, from Worthing, remained in custody at 4pm today (July 17). A spokesman said: "Police are appealing for any witnesses to the incident or who may have seen anyone in the park in the time leading up to it to report online or call 101 quoting serial 83 of 17/07."

“It’s challenging times but as a team we wanted to step up to ensure we didn’t disappoint people wanting their summer holiday. Those were the words of Butlin’s Bognor Regis resort director Jeremy Pardey as the family holiday park gets set to reopen next Friday (July 24). All three of its Butlin’s resorts, in Bognor, Minehead and Skegness, have been closed since March 20 due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, following the continued relaxation of restrictions on the hospitality industry, the holiday resort is now in a position to welcome back up to 2,500 guests, down from its usual capacity of 7,000. “It was all about how we could reopen, working alongside government guidelines which change on an ongoing basis,” Mr Pardey said. “The first priority was ensuring the safety of everyone, the guests and our team. “We got to the point about a week ago where we felt we knew what our proposition should be. We know exactly what we can do with the limitations of working. “We’ve come up with a package which we believe will still deliver a great experience but it’s not what we have always delivered. “It’s safe and secure. We’ve invested heavily into it. “We are at the point of setting up, it’s not finished, but it will be ready for next Friday.” Mr Pardey said the company has had to invest in a ‘different way’, with more hand sanitisers, an amphitheatre and a bigger circus tent. The indoor theatre, which normally holds up to 2,500 people, will remain open but the volume of people allowed in will be reduced to 350. All the tables are set up for families and small groups to watch a show ‘while feeling socially distanced’. The open-air theatre, which has been ‘turned around in ten days’, will have room for 800 people to sit out to watch a show in their own space. Comparing the new venue to Glastonbury, Mr Pardey said: “We will have everything from Rak-Su to Diversity to the Teletubbies on this stage. “We will be running shows from 10am to 9pm. You will have dance shows, live music or character shows.” On the increased circus space, he continued: “We always have a circus here during the summer. We’ve had to get a much bigger circus but we are running the same shows. “We’ve hired a bigger tent and added that to the offer. It’s one of the first circuses which is going to be operated in the UK. “It’s the first time circuses will operate again in the UK as part of a government trial for the UK circus community.” Butlin’s has also developed a new app, whereby customers can book activities, shows and a table at a restaurant all from their phone. Mr Pardey said: “It’s different but also quite exciting because we have engaged with new technology. “You won’t have to arrive and join a queue. You will arrive with a guaranteed spot to sit, whilst also being socially distant. It takes a lot of the social distancing problems away. “The customer service desk will be closed. Instead of going to a small area if you have a problem or need to book something, it is all done through the app or ring somebody and there will be a live chat. “It’s resolving guests’ problems in a different way and it will make guests feel safer. “We’ve got hundreds of hand sanitisers. The key is always no contact.” In May 2019, Butlin’s officially opened its new £40 million swimming pool complex Splash at its Bognor resort. The swimming pool would usually have 4,000 people in it but ‘this will be reduced to 350’, when the park reopens. “We have worked with a number of authorities and specialists, including Swim England, to get it right,” Mr Pardey explained. “We have worked with the health and safety team at Arun District Council.” The resort director said he is ‘absolutely’ expecting a high demand with many people not travelling abroad this year due to the pandemic. He said: “We have had more guests booked in than we could afford so we have had to tell some guests they can’t come because we won’t want to put them at risk. “We’re at the hands of the government and we will react accordingly. “We have protocols in place and do the right thing for our guests and local community. We don’t anticipate any problems. “We are not operating at anyway near the volume of guests but we are putting exactly the same shows on. We are still delivering the Butlin’s experience.” Mr Pardey revealed that 600 of the 1,300 staff members have returned to work but have all had to be retrained. “I was obviously very concerned about my business but one of my biggest concerns was my team,” he said. “I had a strong team who have worked at this resort for a long time and really built it up to be the business it is today. “My key aim was to open up for our guests and for our team to be back at work. “We’ve had to train them, over the last ten days, in a different way to work because there is so much involved. “We are hoping all those people will be back at work at the beginning of next year. We are bringing them back slowly because we expect to build the numbers slowly. “Hopefully, by the new year, we will be back doing what we were doing as long as we all, as individuals, do the right things. “We have to take responsibility for our own behaviour and that’s what I will be asking my team and guests to do. “We won’t make as much money but it’s not all about that. “It’s about investing in the future to make sure we come out of this pandemic in the best place as we can.”

A heroin and crack cocaine dealer in Worthing has been jailed, police said. Detective Sergeant Peter Yarrow of the West Sussex Community Investigation Team said; "Edwards' latest arrest was part of a long term operation in the Worthing area and involved collaborative working with colleagues from Brighton Prevention Enforcement Team. "He was actively involved in supplying heroin and crack to some users in the town centre but our operation completely disrupted his activities. We are continuing our relentless work to disrupt criminals like Edwards who bring degradation and misery to vulnerable people." Ian Edwards, 36, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on July 6 having pleaded guilty to supplying heroin and crack cocaine Edwards was also on prison licence at the time of his arrest in December 2019, having been released part way through a 13 year sentence he had been given in 2013 for conspiracy to supply drugs, and has also been recalled to prison to serve the remaining part of that sentence, police said. His new six and a half year sentence is to be served after to the remainder of the 13-year sentence. For information on how you can help the fight against drug dealing in communities see the Sussex Police website.

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of bogus caller thefts following a 'high speed persuit' this morning (Friday, July 17). The two men, from Yapton and Bognor Regis, were arrested on suspicion of bogus caller thefts from homes in the area. Residents are being asked to contact the police if they too have been approached by suspicious callers in the area in recent days. Officers spotted a car they suspected of being involved in the thefts, on the westbound A27 at Lancing and followed it to Fontwell where it was successfully stopped without serious damage or any injury. The two men, aged 25 and 38, were arrested on suspicion of thefts of cash and valuables on Thursday (16 July) from three addresses, in Main Road, Yapton, and Upper Bognor Road and Essex Road in Bognor, by posing as water company workers checking for leaks. They are currently in custody for interview and further enquiries. A further incident at an address in West Street, Bognor, on Tuesday (14 July) resulting in nothing being taken. Detective Constable Louise Clark said: "If you have been approached by men who say they are from the water company and have come to check for leaks, please contact us online or by calling 101, quoting serial 632 of 16/07. "Always keep such callers out, check their identities, and call us on 999 if you are still suspicious and they are present."

Here is your morning travel update for Sussex on Friday, July 17. The roads in the county are largely clear of congestion however there are reports of a cow on the road on the B2147 Foxbury Lane in Westbourne near Chantry Hall. Drivers are being urged to approach with care but traffic appears to be coping well. The A2100 is closed due to construction on A2100 London Road both ways between A21 Vinehall Road and Robertbridge Gypsum Mine Access Road, according to the AA. A lane is closed due to construction on the A27 Polegate Bypass both ways between Brown Jack Avenue and A22 Polegate Road (Cop Hall Roundabout). There is no major disruption reported on Southern, Thameslink or Southeastern trains.

Worthing Borough Council has pledged to look for more land for projects such as tree planting and rewilding after receiving a petition signed by more than 1,000 people. The petition stressed the need to provide habitat and food for the UK’s dwindling insect population, pollinators such as bees and some butterflies, and local wildlife. Tabled by Emma Cameron, chair of the Worthing Climate Action Network, it was considered at a meeting of the full council on Tuesday (July 14). Ms Cameron shared a number of suggestions with councillors, including the idea of helping to attract insects by leaving roundabouts and verges unmowed from March until late summer, if safe to do so. Other suggestions included the creation of mini forests, working with school to create wild flower areas, and promoting the principles and benefits of rewilding to the public. Ms Cameron also raised the ideal of installing a living wall in Montague Place, similar to the one at Piries Place car park, in Horsham. She said: “I am aware that things have been changed and there is less mowing and some areas in parks are being left to grow long, which is great. “We really appreciate that but I think there’s more that we can do.” Leader Daniel Humphreys thanked Ms Cameron for the petition and said she was ‘very much pushing at an open door’. He pointed out that, as well as declaring a climate emergency, the council was already making progress on such issues via its Platforms for our Places strategy 2020-22. This included mapping out council-owned land for community growing projects, tree planting and rewilding. He said the council looked forward to working with the Climate Action Network on the subject over the coming months and years. Members voted to reaffirm the council’s position on mapping its land and agreed a progress report would be produced in December. An amendment from Helen Silman (Lab, Heene) calling on the council to recognise the rapid decline in insects in the UK, protect and create habitat where pollinators and other insects would thrive, and work with the likes of the Sussex Wildlife Trust to identify sites for rewilding within six months, was voted down. Thanking Ms Cameron and everyone who signed the petition, Mr Humphreys said: “I do hope they’re reassured that we’re already mapping a course towards this, that we are making progress and this is something that we’re committed to do. “There is a genuine commitment from this council to improve biodiversity, to improve our policies and practices in all sorts of environmental areas.” Speaking after the meeting, Ms Cameron said she would have liked to have seen Mrs Silman’s amendment approved but was ‘delighted that all councillors welcomed and were generally supportive of the petition aims’. She added: “We will continue working with the council to make sure we move forward with Wilding Worthing.”

More people visited A&E last month at the Western Sussex Hospitals Trust – but attendances were still far lower than in June last year, new figures show. Worthing Hospital is one of three hospitals run by Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust NHS England figures show 10,884 patients visited A&E at the Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in June. That was a rise of 8 per cent on the 10,064 visits recorded during May, but still 16 per cent lower than the 13,016 patients seen in June the previous year. The pandemic saw a noticeable fall in the number of patients visiting A&E at the trust – which runs Worthing Hospital, St Richard’s Hospital and Southlands Hospital. In March, the month in which the strict lockdown was introduced, attendance at Western Sussex Hospitals were down 24 per cent when compared with the same month last year – read more here. Across England, A&E departments received 1.4 million visits during June. That was an increase of 12 per cent compared to May, but still a third fewer than the 2.1 million seen during June 2019. Medical experts have previously raised concerns about people staying away from hospitals amid the coronavirus pandemic, with delays to seeking treatment potentially storing up problems for the future. Dr Simon Walsh, BMA emergency medicine lead, said: “It is crucial that people who are in genuine need of emergency treatment know they can attend hospital to get the care they need, and that it is safe to do so. “However, with A&E attendances gradually on the rise again the Government must ensure that capacity and resources are available, including beds and workforce, so that hospitals can continue to deliver safe and timely care for both Covid and non-Covid patients.” Hospitals had feared the reopening of pubs on July 4 may have led to emergency departments being overwhelmed. But Dr Katherine Henderson, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said these fears ‘thankfully do not seem to have come to pass’. “We appreciate the common sense of the public and thank the majority for following the rules so that they could enjoy their evening out in a responsible, sensible way,” she said. Police in Sussex, who had prepared for a busy weekend ahead of July 4, echoed her comments and said the weekend ‘generally passed without incident’ – read more here. Figures on the number of attendances at A&E over the so-called Super Saturday will not be known for a number of weeks. The BMA said emergency departments have been restructured to allow for social distancing, meaning they are still operating with reduced capacity. Dr Walsh urged people to use common sense when drinking, warning ‘we are not out of this pandemic yet’. He added: “If you have to go to A&E as a result of too much alcohol, you not only risk taking up the time of doctors and nurses who could be treating patients whose lives are in danger, but you also risk spreading the virus if you have it but aren’t aware.” An NHS spokesman said staff had pulled out all the stops to deal with coronavirus and ensure the continuation of essential services. He said: “Whether you or a loved one have the symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, are a parent worried about their child or have concerns about conditions such as cancer, you should seek help in the way you always would. “Ignoring problems can have serious consequences – now or in the future.”

A total of 16 people have been arrested following an incident in Shoreham which saw a police officer punched in the head. The West Sussex Superintendent has said he is committed to taking police action to address groups of young people causing anti-social behaviour and disorder in the town. It follows the assault on two officers in Shoreham on Saturday evening by a group of young people. Officers were responding to reports of a young man causing criminal damage to vehicles in the area. When they attempted to arrest the suspect, they were pushed to the floor and assaulted by a large group of youths – with one officer punched in the head. Superintendent Miles Ockwell said: “The behaviour of a minority of young people over the weekend was simply unacceptable. Our officers should be able to carry out their lawful duty without being intimidated or assaulted. “A total of 16 arrests were made and those who are identified as being involved will have to face the consequences of their actions. “We appreciate the concern this behaviour from a minority of group of people is causing within the community and additional resources will be deployed to areas where groups are known to gather to deter such behaviour in the future. “We have a strong working relationship with local authorities and as of a result of this, two boys from the local area have recently been issued a Community Behaviour Order by the courts. “Together as partner agencies we can, and we will, use a wide variety of powers, including criminalisation whereby other options are inappropriate, to tackle those who persistently cause ant-social behaviour and disorder. “We want people to go out and enjoy themselves in a way that is safe and doesn’t impact others and I would like to commend the young people who have, and continue to, behave themselves during the Covid-19 lockdown. “Parents and guardians also have the responsibility to ensure their children are not causing disruptive behaviour, which we will take action against. “My message to those involved is simple. If you behave in an anti-social manner, you will be held to account. Your choice to engage in poor behaviour could have a lasting effect on your future and this is not something we would like to see.” All 16 young people arrested have been released on police bail with strict conditions.

Three more people have been arrested following the stabbing of a man in Shoreham. A 55-year-old local man suffered serious injuries after being stabbed at an outbuilding in Nicholson Drive, Shoreham, at around 10pm on Tuesday, February 11. Nineteen-year-old Jordan Bell, unemployed, of Grafton Gardens in Sompting, was arrested shortly after and charged with attempted murder, said police. He has been remanded in custody and is awaiting a court trial in August. Earlier this month, police carried out three warrants in Lancing and arrested two 18-year-old men and a 19-year-old on suspicion of aggravated burglary in connection with the incident. One of the 18-year-old suspects was also arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods. They have all been released under investigation while further enquiries are carried out. Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the incident and anyone with information is asked to report online or call 101, quoting Operation Waterway. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report online.

Researchers at Huazhong University studied narcissism in the work place They interviewed 312 employees at a manufacturing company Workers who exhibited more narcissistic personality traits were better liked by their bosses and tended to be higher energy workers. Calling someone a narcissist is generally insulting, but a new study suggests the label could be desirable for employers. Researchers at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China have linked narcissistic personality traits to higher energy levels in the work place and were more well regarded by their supervisors. People with more narcissistic personality traits also tended to take leadership roles more readily than other workers, whether asked or not, according to the researchers, led by Huazhong University's Kong Zhou. Researchers surveyed 312 workers at a Chinese manufacturing firm and found those with the most narcissistic personality traits were also the highest energy workers and tended to be well regarded by their supervisors 'We argue that narcissistic employees usually have stronger internal motivations to release the potential energy stored in their bodies as to prove they are better than other employees,' the team writes. 'Hence, we predict that narcissistic employees may be more energized to exhibit taking-charge behavior in the workplace,'.

[PD Eddie] One of the Mets four legged friends leaped into action on Monday afternoon (13.07.20) to help officer track down a concealed loaded weapon which is now safely off the streets. Eight-year-old cocker spaniel PD Eddie and his handler PC Emma Roblings rushed to Chelsea after officers found an amount of ammunition locally.  Fearing a weapon could also be nearby, PD Eddie was deployed. After some 15 minutes of searching, Eddie’s nose indicated a particular interest in a secluded area nearby. A quick search by his handler revealed the silver revolver, which was loaded and ready for use. Detectives from Specialist Crime’s Operation Viper will now investigate to determine who concealed the firearm and the ammunition. Thanks to their efforts, and PD Eddie’s keen nose, a dangerous weapon is now off the streets. No arrests have been made at this time and the investigation continues. PD Eddie’s handler, PC Emma Robling, said: “Eddie is a wonderful dog to work with and I am thrilled he was able to track down this incredibly dangerous weapon. If it wasn’t for his nose, there is every chance it could still be hidden away. “We all have a vital role in fighting violent crime across the capital, including our police dogs. Every day, police dogs support frontline colleagues in tackling violence head on and yesterday’s seizure is extremely welcomed – well done Eddie!”

Winter could bring a worse second wave of coronavirus - but does the time of year really make a difference? With summer now fully upon us, many are wondering whether coronavirus is affected by the season of sunshine and warm temperatures. Is coronavirus affected by the summer season? As with all science surrounding the novel Covid-19 virus, much is still uncertain about the way in which warmer temperatures and sunlight affect the potency and transmission of the disease. Got symptoms? Get tested now. NHS Test & Trace. Don’t wait, protect your friends and family Promoted by HM Government While influenza is known to be more transmissible during winter because of colder, dryer air, scientists aren't quite sure whether coronavirus will be affected in a similar way. Early research does suggest, however, that hotter, more humid weather may slow the rate of coronavirus transmission, while exposure to sunlight can inactivate the virus. Researchers at the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center in America, for instance, exposed coronavirus - in stimulated saliva - to artificial sunlight, and found that 90 per cent of viruses became inactive within seven minutes. This suggests that coronavirus is less able to survive in the sun than in indoor environments, making your risk of exposure much lower outdoors. Am I safer from coronavirus in summer? Despite some evidence to suggest that summer weather patterns may affect coronavirus, the effects are not nearly significant enough to protect you from catching or transmitting coronavirus. The World Health Organisation warns on its coronavirus 'mythbusting' page, "You can catch COVID-19, no matter how sunny or hot the weather is. Countries with hot weather have reported cases of COVID-19. To protect yourself, make sure you clean your hands frequently and thoroughly and avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose". And while research may suggest that sunlight can deactivate coronavirus on surfaces fairly quickly, it's worth remembering that the main source of transmission is via an infected person's respiratory droplets, not through surface contamination. Your risks of catching coronavirus are lower while outdoors, but you should continue to practice social distancing with people from outside your household, wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes with unclean hands. Will winter bring a second wave? Scientists have warned that a second wave of coronavirus this winter is possible, and could prove more catastrophic than the first. This is because of several different factors, the first being that coronavirus is believed to be longer-lasting in colder temperatures. However, the rate of transmission in winter will also be affected by the fact that people will be spending more time indoors, where risks are higher. The NHS will also be under the pressures that seasonal flu always brings to the service, as well as dealing with a backlog of patients whose treatment has been delayed by the first wave of coronavirus. The UK's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, however, did stress that much is still uncertain abut how the pandemic will play out in the UK this winter.

A Black Lives Matter protest took place in Brighton today (July 11). Campaigners gathered at Brighton Pier at midday and marched through the city centre to protest against racism. Organisers said the event was an effort to make sure the Black Lives Matter movement continues, following the wave of protests in June in response to the death of George Floyd. The march was peaceful, however at one point an argument broke out when a man started shouting at the crowd near The Level. James Butler, who witnessed the incident, said: “It was a shame that the march, which was otherwise peaceful, was disrupted in this way. “Protest is a right of every citizen and it was amazing to see the overwhelming majority supporting the march. One individual’s actions will not overshadow that.” In a banner, Brighton Black Lives Matter explained their reasons behind the protest. It said: “The UK is not innocent. “Racism is part of the British system and institutions. Our country and city needs to acknowledge the racism that perpetuates and we demand equity.” Watch Brighton Black Lives Matter protest Among the group’s demands is that Brighton council investigates Sussex Police’s use of stop and search, conducts an inquiry into the Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) wage gap, and reinstates funding to the BAME Young People’s project. On criticism of protesting during a pandemic, Brighton Black Lives Matter said: “The government is happy to send us back to work and risk our lives for profit to protect the economy. “We believe that marching and protesting for the rights of black people and people of colour is a more important cause. “Following our previous march, we understand there has not been a spike of cases in our city and we thank everyone who previously attended for taking appropriate precautions.” Roads into the city centre were temporarily closed today between 12pm and 3pm as the march took place. Thousands attend Brighton Black Lives Matter protest

Hundreds of Milton Keynes teenagers who are falling through the gaps in the school and social care system are at even greater risk due to the impact of Covid-19, new figures suggest. Children’s commissioner Anne Longfield warns a “lost generation of teens” could be groomed by gangs and criminals if they cannot be reached. The commissioner’s analysis identified 600 people aged 13 to 17 in Milton Keynes who were slipping through the cracks in education and social care provision in 2017-18. That’s around 37.2 per 1,000 teenagers in the age group – putting it 13th out of 19 council areas in the South East in terms of the proportion of teens affected. The teenagers have slipped through the net. The figure includes children who were bounced around or went missing from the care system, were excluded from or dropped out of school, or had high levels of unauthorised absence. It also counts those who were not in education, employment or training (NEET) as of December 2017. These young people are at greater risk of exploitation, poor mental health and domestic violence and addiction in the home due to the coronavirus pandemic, the report says. This has been compounded by closures of schools, youth services, summer schemes, parks and leisure activities, with those affected in danger of remaining “invisible” after lockdown restrictions ease, it adds. Across England, around 123,000 teenagers aged 13 to 17 were flagged as falling through the gaps – a rate of 40.0 in 1,000. Ms Longfield said: “Many of these children, and I fear many thousands of other vulnerable teenagers, have had very little structure to their lives over the last six months. “School was often a stretch for them, and I am concerned we are never going to get some of them back into education. “If we do not act now, this could result in a lost generation of teens – dropping out of school, going under the radar, getting into trouble, and at risk of being groomed by gangs and criminals.” She is calling on the Government, schools, councils, the police and other groups to work together to support these children. “We must not look back in five years at a generation of vulnerable teenagers who fell out of society and ended up drifting into crime and unemployment,” she added. The Chancellor recently announced a £2 billion Kickstart Scheme as part of his mini-budget, which will fund six-month job placements for 18 to 24-year-olds. A government spokeswoman said: "Schools and colleges have remained open throughout the pandemic to vulnerable children and those of critical workers, and we have worked across government and with the sector to make sure young people stay safe at this time. "Ahead of a full return to school and college in September, we are expanding frontline charity support and helplines to reach more young people, working with local authorities and schools to ensure they have eyes and ears on those at most risk, and supporting pupils leaving alternative provision this summer to stay engaged in education, employment or training.”

MK has been unable to complete rubbish and recycling collections in parts of MK today. But they promise that contractors Serco will be out first thing in the morning to complete the areas they have missed. These are parts of Milton Keynes Village, Middleton, Heelands, Springfield and Downs Barn. The problem is thought to be due to large volumes of refuse. Serco will finish the collections tomorrow An MK Council spokesman said: We've been unable to fully complete food and garden waste and refuse and recycling collections in some areas .. We'll be out first thing on Wednesday to complete any missed collections."

An inspiring campaign to help save Sussex bees by creating a new network of wildflower corridors has smashed its target of raising £75,000. In just over a year of fundraising, people, community groups, businesses and organisations from across the South East have pulled together to raise the incredible amount and give a welcome boost to nature. Now the South Downs National Park Trust, the official independent charity for the National Park, is offering a huge “thank you” to all those who have helped to make “Bee Lines” a soaring success. The Bee Lines initiative launched in May last year with the aim of raising £75,000 to help farmers and other landowners create new wildflower corridors – essentially a “road system” for insects – that will link fragmented habitats and encourage pollination. The money raised will now go towards helping to restore pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which have declined nationally because of habitat fragmentation that has seen their foraging grounds reduced in size and number. Although fundraising is still open for donations, Bee Lines will now move to its delivery phase, with talks under way with various landowners about potential sites for wildflower planting. An online application process for farmers and landowners to express interest in funding will open in the coming months. Nick Heasman, Countryside and Policy Manager for the South Downs National Park and who is leading the project, said: “It’s a great honour to announce that we did it! “The Bee Lines fundraising has truly been an incredible effort and I’d like to thank each and every donor who has made it possible. “It’s been a particularly testing time for many people in the past few months and it’s nice to be able to share this positive news. I think the support we’ve had underlines the great affection people have for the South Downs National Park, as well as recognition of the increasingly important role this haven will have in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss.” Chalk grassland with a colourful blanket of wildflowers is the perfect habitat for pollinators and was once very extensive across the South Downs. But the past century of human impact has seen this habitat reduced to just four per cent of the total area of the National Park, creating fragmented areas that make it harder for pollinators to move through the landscape. Nick added: “To say bees are amazing is an understatement. They are vital ecosystem engineers, quietly working away year after year to pollinate a third of food crops and 90 per cent of wild plants. But these pollinators have been in trouble for many years and Bee Lines is our way of fighting back, helping populations to recover and become more resilient to human impact and the effects of climate change. “We’re now excited to be able to start sowing the seeds of making the South Downs an even bigger and better hub for pollinators.” The South Downs National Park Trust would like to thank: The Sussex Community Foundation; The Worshipful Company of Grocers; Joan Cullen Charitable Trust; William Dean Countryside and Educational Trust; Forest Holidays; The South Downs National Park Trust’s Founding Patrons and all other supporters. For more information on Bee Lines visit www.southdownstrust.org.uk/beelines/

An increase in illegal camping, as well as people leaving litter and lighting fires, has been seen across the South Downs. The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) said in a post on social media that it was ‘incredibly frustrating for regular visitors to these sites and nearby local communities’. Photos posted by the authority show grass scorched black by fire and people camping on the land. The post read: “It’s fair to say that in recent weeks most people enjoying the South Downs have been brilliant. Not only taking their own litter home but removing litter they find along the way. “Disappointingly, we have seen an increase in anti-social behaviour; small numbers of people camping illegally on sensitive sites, lighting fires, leaving behind litter and damaging the landscape.” Ranger teams have been carrying out spot-checks across the national park, including at weekends. Wild camping is illegal in the South Downs National Park and under no circumstances should barbecues or fires of any kind be lit, a spokesman from the SDNPA said. The National Park is home to a total of 1,024 designated nature conservation sites – including a total of 85 Sites of Special Scientific Interest with some of the highest levels of wildlife protection in the world. The spokesman said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has inspired a renewed wave of interest in connecting with the outdoors and nature and the vast majority of visitors to the South Downs National Park are enjoying this wonderful landscape respectfully and responsibly. “However, there have been isolated incidents in very sensitive areas that underline the detrimental impact on nature when the National Park is not treated with care and respect. “We would ask everyone visiting the National Park to please show respect and care for this landscape, which has been designated on behalf of the entire nation for its amazing biodiversity, natural beauty and cultural heritage. “By showing that you care, everyone can enjoy this wonderful place and nature can continue to flourish.” The Park Authority has created a new colourful and informative graphic with top tips on how to enjoy the national park safely and responsibly – find out more here. Anyone who sees illegal activity in the South Downs should report this to the police using the 101 number and call 999 in an emergency.

The average number of children back in school in West Sussex since the Covid-19 lockdown began is well above the national average, according to the latest figures. Primary and secondary children in selected year groups returned to school last month Nearly 22 per cent of all pupils – a total of 25,226 – were back at maintained schools and academies across the county, according to figures from July 2, significantly above the national average of 16.9 per cent. It comes almost exactly a month after the government asked schools to accommodate pupils from reception, year 1 and 6, alongside key worker and vulnerable pupils who have attended school throughout. The numbers of vulnerable children in West Sussex schools have been consistently higher than the national average during the pandemic. Teachers, staff, pupils, parents and carers have been praised for their hard work, understanding and patience during a challenging time for schools. Nigel Jupp, cabinet member for education and skills at West Sussex County Council, said: “I’ve been impressed greatly by the dedication of parents and carers who continue to look after their children and provide home schooling during these challenging and unprecedented times. “I would also like to share my sincere thanks with schoolteachers and staff who have been in class with many vulnerable children as well as those of key workers. On top of this they have continued to provide excellent resources for home learning to those children who have not been able to return to their schools during the lockdown. “I appreciate the frustrations of those who are eager to return, but we all share the same aim of seeing all children back in school from September.” The county council is assessing the government’s announcement on July 2 on plans to support the safe return of children to school and will be working closely with head teachers and other key stakeholders over the coming weeks to determine how this will be managed in West Sussex. Schools continue to be supported as they plan their future provision, based on their own risk assessments and local circumstances. The figures based on returns on July 2 show 4,617 reception, 3,800 year 1 and 4,996 year 6 pupils attended school. Schools across West Sussex have also continued to meet the needs of the children of critical workers and vulnerable children in all year groups during the Covid-19 outbreak. WCN news

A cyclist charged with fracturing a pensioner's pelvis in an altercation on the South Downs has died before his trial, police said. The incident on June 17 last year shocked the community. A 74-year-old man was attacked by a cyclist while walking his dog along a narrow footpath on Honeysuckle Lane in Worthing, suffering a fractured pelvis and significant bruising to his face and body. Kenneth Ramage, 60, of Broadwater Road, Worthing, had been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to the incident, police said. This morning (June 14), police confirmed that Ramage died in Fife, Scotland, on 19 May, whilst on bail awaiting trial. Sussex Police A police spokesman said: "The death was not suspicious, it is understood that he fell into a gully whilst out hiking. The person who was injured in June 2019 has been informed."

More than 2,000 people responded to the poll on Facebook, which asked people for their views on whether wearing masks in shops should be compulsory or not. Just a few hours later, the government announced it will indeed soon be mandatory to wear face masks in shops. People will have to do so from July 24, or face a £100 fine. Of the 2,600 people who voted in our Facebook poll, 1,400 people (57 per cent) selected ‘yes, face masks should be mandatory’. Meanwhile, 1,000 people said ‘no, wearing masks should be a choice’. Hundreds of people took to the comments to share their views about the matter. Claire Bessat said: “We should be wearing masks at all times in indoor or enclosed spaces and when within 6ft of people outdoors. The UK is one of only countries taking so long to put these helpful measures in place, unfortunately. This virus is no joke.” Mandy Collison said: “I agree. I will be wearing one when I can pluck up the courage to go into town.” Bryn Clements said: “They should be made a mandatory, but people also need to realise that wearing a mask doesn’t mean you can stop social distancing entirely.” But George Maund said he ‘dreaded’ the thought of having to wear a mask, and Colin David Hodds said: “Absolute madness will kill what’s left of the retail stone dead. Not necessary at all, if it’s so bad why not gyms, pubs, cinema, parks?” The facts about wearing a mask - and myths debunked Wearing a mask in public is considered to lower the risk of the wearer spreading coronavirus. Evidence suggests wearing a face covering does not protect you, so social distancing should still be followed. Though concerns have been spread online about masks causing people to breathe in more CO2, there is no evidence for this. Another claim is that wearing a mask could limit a person’s supply of oxygen. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says, “The prolonged use of medical masks when properly worn, does not cause CO2 intoxication nor oxygen deficiency.” The WHO says people should not wear a mask while exercising. People with respiratory problems who may struggle to breathe are also exempt from having to wear one.

Lockdown has had an extraordinary impact on Chichester Harbour and important lessons have been learned as the community continues to campaign to protect its future. Chichester Harbour Trust reveals some disappointments and concerns in its recent annual review but the overall message is that lockdown has been a time to reflect, regroup and move forward with positivity. The trust continues to work working closely with Chichester Harbour Conservancy and campaign group SOSCA, keeping a close eye on the new Chichester Local Plan after Chichester District Council applied for a one year extension to July 2021. One of the key concerns remains the wildlife and one surprise during lockdown has been the impact the quieter times have had on the flora and fauna in the harbour. John Nelson, trust chairman, said: “The lo Chichester Harbour Trust administrator Nicky Horter, founder Sir Jeremy Thomas and chairman John Nelson This comes in the wake of the recent Natural England study into the condition of Chichester Harbour Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Nicky Horter, trust administrator, said: “The study paints a bleak picture, 80 per cent of the area is now classed as unfavourable declining, reflecting the negative impacts on habitats and species of increased disturbance, nitrates and coastal squeeze. “There has been a notable decrease, around 59 per cent since 1946, in salt marsh, so that is a big loss and it has big implications. “These issues must be adequately addressed by the new Local Plan if Natural England is to endorse it.” ckdown has focused our minds quite a lot, and the community’s minds. “Here, we have just a tiny microcosm of the biodiversity work going on in the world. The change that has happened in such a short time is extraordinary. “Since February, the recovery in the harbour just shows it is rescuable worldwide, if we take it seriously.” There has been a notable increase in fish and birdlife, plus a seahorse was spotted, much to everyone’s excitement. There has a notable decrease in salt marsh at Chichester Harbour but work is being done to improve the situation The trust feels lockdown has given many people in the community time to reflect and further recognise the importance of the harbour environment, which will help in the efforts to protect it. Nicky said: “Life has slowed down and the community has realised the importance of the harbour as a sanctuary. It has been a lifesaver for a lot of people.”Nitrates is a Solent-wide issue and the Don’t Destroy Chichester Harbour campaign, championed by the Chichester Observer, has, the trust believes, had an impact. John said: “We need now to keep the momentum up. Rather to our surprise, the communities are really now even more concerned than they were already. “We have no power over this, all we can do is influence. One thing that has come out of this is Chichester putting nutrient neutrality requirement on new developments, like Hampshire has been doing for a while.” The trust is in a good position financially and, due to lockdown, has decided to stop its major fundraising for now but will probably restart in the autumn. A major disappointment has been the loss of two key plots it hoped to purchase, an 11-acre saline lagoon at Birdham and a parcel of land in Bosham. John said: “At Birdham, we had agreed terms and we were all ready to go. We had been working on it for six months or more. However, we were then informed that the land was being sold to a private individual. “The support has been extraordinary. In both cases, we had managed to raise the money from the community, and this is not insubstantial amounts of money, so it was very disappointing. “There is a bit of a pattern and ultra high net worth individuals keen to protect the land around their property. But if you put the land with the trust, it is there for the community for perpetuity.” Nicky said going forward, the trust would be reviewing its approach to land purchases. She added: “We have to adapt and look at other types of agreement. We have relied on goodwill in the past but forewarned is forearmed.”

Revised April 2017 This guide This briefing provides information about bullying and the law for schools and the wider children's workforce in England. As well as information on bullying for all children and young people, it has an additional element of things to consider for disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs (SEN). What is Bullying? The Anti-Bullying Alliance defines bullying as: The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological. It can happen face-to-face or through cyberspace. There is no legal definition of bullying. Schools duties and safeguarding Schools have a duty of care to protect all their pupils and provide a safe, healthy environment, and these obligations are highlighted in law and guidance detailed in this briefing. The Department for Education (DfE) has produced guidance for all schools, including academies and free schools, which outlines its duties towards preventing and tackling bullying in schools: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-tackling-bullying The Education Act 2002 Section 175 placed a legal duty on maintained schools and Local Authorities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The Government has also issued statutory guidance under s175 called Keeping children safe in education September 20161 this applies to all schools including academies, free schools, alternative provision, maintained nursery schools and independent schools. It describes what schools and colleges should comply with. Schools also have obligations under the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children 20152 . ‘Safeguarding’ covers more than child protection. The guidance states that it specifically covers issues such as health and safety and bullying. 1 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2 2 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/419595/Working_Together_to_ Safeguard_Children.pdf Bullying and the Law briefing A failure to have necessary arrangements in place under section 175 may be grounds for the Secretary of State to take action against a Local Authority or Governing Body. Some incidents of bullying may also be a child protection issue. A bullying incident should be addressed as a child protection issue under the Children Act 1989 when there is ‘reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm’3 . These concerns must be reported to the member of staff in school responsible for child protection and then reported to the local authority’s children’s social services. Schools Behaviour / Anti-Bullying Policy Section 89 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 states that maintained schools must have measures to encourage good behaviour and prevent all forms of bullying amongst pupils. Some schools choose to include this information in an anti-bullying policy, whilst others include it in their behaviour policy. ABA believes that for the purpose of clarity it is better to include it in an antibullying policy that is separate to the behaviour policy but which cross refers to the behaviour policy if necessary. These measures must be communicated to all pupils, school staff and parents. The head teacher must follow through and adopt the policy and all students, parents and teachers should be notified of it once it has been decided. Pupils should be involved in both the drafting of their anti-bullying policy and its monitoring, by being encouraged to discuss the policy and its effectiveness. Involving pupils in this way is compatible with children and young people’s rights to participate under Article 12 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989. Section 89 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006: s89 Determination by head teacher of behaviour policy (1) The head teacher of a relevant school must determine measures to be taken with a view to— (a) promoting, among pupils, self-discipline and proper regard for authority, (b) encouraging good behaviour and respect for others on the part of pupils and, in particular, preventing all forms of bullying among pupils, (c) securing that the standard of behaviour of pupils is acceptable, (d) securing that pupils complete any tasks reasonably assigned to them in connection with their education, and (e) otherwise regulating the conduct of pupils. 3 Children Act 1989 – Part V, s47(1)(b),(5),(5ZA) Bullying and the Law briefing (5)The measures which the head teacher determines under subsection (1) may, to such extent as is reasonable, include measures to be taken with a view to regulating the conduct of pupils at a time when they are not on the premises of the school and are not under the lawful control or charge of a member of the staff of the school. (6) The measures determined by the head teacher under subsection (1) must be publicised by him in the form of a written document as follows— (a) he must make the measures generally known within the school and to parents of registered pupils at the school, and (b) he must in particular, at least once in every school year, take steps to bring them to the attention of all such pupils and parents and all persons who work at the school (whether or not for payment). Academies, Free Schools and Independent schools The Independent School Standards (England)(Amendment) Regulations 2012 state that the proprietor of an academy or other independent school is required to ensure that an effective anti-bullying strategy and health & safety strategy is drawn up and implemented. Discrimination - The Equality Act 2010 Under the Equality Act 2010 it is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of:  age  being or becoming a transsexual person  being married or in a civil partnership  being pregnant or having a child  disability  race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin  religion, belief or lack of religion/belief  sex  sexual orientation Bullying and the Law briefing These are called ‘protected characteristics’. A person is protected from discrimination in the following areas:  at work  in education  as a consumer  when using public services  when buying or renting property  as a member or guest of a private club or association You’re also protected from discrimination if:  you’re associated with someone who has a protected characteristic, eg a sibling or friend  you’ve complained about discrimination or supported someone else’s claim Schools must follow the Equality Act 2010. Staff must act to prevent discrimination, harassment and victimisation within the school. If you think a child is being harassed in school you must act to prevent it. You can find guidance on the Equality Act 2010 for schools here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools The definition of disability under the Equality Act: “a person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment which has a long term and substantial adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities”. Guidance says that when considering the definition of disability:  disregard aids, medication and treatment; that physical or mental impairment includes sensory impairments such as those affecting sight or hearing and severe disfigurement;  long term means that the impairment has lasted or is likely to last for at least 12 months or for the rest of the affected person’s life  substantial means more than minor or trivial. A key provision is a Public Sector Equality Duty. This duty covers age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion – and places a duty on all publicly funded schools and colleges (s149) to:  eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation Bullying and the Law briefing  advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it  foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it This Equality Duty applies to all decisions taken by the Governing Body or Proprietor of all publicly funded schools. Under this duty schools should discuss and gather information to ensure the decision they take will not increase disablist name calling and bullying. There is also a duty towards disabled pupils and students to provide reasonable adjustments for them, including auxiliary aids (s20). The object of the duty is to avoid as far as possible by reasonable means, the disadvantage which a disabled pupil experiences because of their disability.4 This is an anticipatory duty - acted upon before a particular disabled pupil attends school or is involved in an incident. As name calling is one of the most frequent occurrence of disablist bullying and has been shown to disproportionately involve and impact on disabled children and students; then minimising it is an important reasonable adjustment. It does have an adverse impact on pupils’ wellbeing and achievement. Therefore, ensuring steps are taken to tackle disablist behaviour and name calling would come under this duty. Creating a positive class environment by discussion with peers about the impacts of disablist name calling and teasing/ridiculing would be a reasonable adjustment. Creating a system of peer support and mentoring where such language and behaviour is challenged would be another. Recording all such incidents and positively dealing with them would also be a reasonable adjustment. Making such adjustments would also ensure that the schools public sector duty to eliminate harassment is being met. A whole school consensus on how such incidents are dealt-with is important, including midday supervisors who should be included in any training that the school undertakes. Staff using their power to belittle or to hold up to ridicule any pupil is always unacceptable. Doing this to a disabled child is likely to be unlawful. This includes disparaging remarks about a disabled child’s work e.g. handwriting when they may have an impairment which impacts on fine motor control, or is messy, when they have a specific learning difficulty, or finding someone with general or specific learning difficulties reading aloud amusing. If the language or comment used by a member of staff about or to a disabled pupil draws in a negative way on their impairment should be challenged by senior staff. Under the Equality Act there are also a range of different forms of discrimination towards individual disabled people that are unlawful. i. Direct Discrimination: treating someone less favourably because of their ‘disability’(S13) ii. Indirect Discrimination: where a provision, criteria or practice puts a disabled person at a substantial disadvantage and it cannot be shown as a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim (s19) 4 http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/private-and-public-sector-guidance/education-providers/schoolsguidance/keyconcepts/reasonable-adjustments Bullying and the Law briefing iii. Discrimination arising from disability (s15) iv. Harassment: when a person (A) engages in unwanted conduct towards (B) because they are disabled and that conduct has the purpose or effect of violating B's dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for B (s26). All four of these, especially iv, could be claimed when persistent bullying of disabled pupils by name calling, ridicule or malicious teasing involving disablist language takes place to the detriment of the pupil. The UK is a signatory of the ‘United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ Article 8(26) requires the Government to adopt immediate and effective means of “b) Fostering at all levels of the education system, including in all children from an early age, an attitude of respect for the rights of persons with disabilities”5 Bullying Outside of School The Department for Education released the following statement in regards to bullying outside of school premises: “Head teachers have the legal power to make sure pupils behave outside of school premises (state schools only). This includes bullying that happens anywhere off the school premises, eg on public transport or in a town centre.” Through Section 89 clause 5 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 head-teachers have the power to discipline their students for any bullying incidents outside of school “to such an extent that is reasonable.” (see also p2 Schools’ Behaviour/Anti-bullying policies) DfE’s Preventing and Tackling Bullying guidance6 says about schools duties to tackle bullying outside of schools: Teachers have the power to discipline pupils for misbehaving outside the school premises “to such an extent as is reasonable. This can relate to any bullying incidents occurring anywhere off the school premises, such as on school or public transport, outside the local shops, or in a town or village centre. Where bullying outside school is reported to school staff, it should be investigated and acted on. The headteacher should also consider whether it is appropriate to notify the police or anti-social behaviour coordinator in their local authority of the action taken against a pupil. If the misbehaviour could be criminal or poses a serious threat to a member of the public, the police should always be informed. In all cases of misbehaviour or bullying the teacher can only discipline the pupil on school premises or elsewhere when the pupil is under the lawful control of the staff member. More detailed advice on teachers’ powers to discipline, including their power to punish 5 http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=268 6 Preventing and tackling bullying - Department for Education - page 6 Bullying and the Law briefing pupils for misbehaviour that occurs outside school, is included in ‘Behaviour and discipline in schools – advice for headteachers and school staff’.” Bullying on home to school transport The above section ‘Bullying outside of school’ applies on school transport. Schools’ ability to search a student’s property Schools can search students’ property in some circumstances. Section 85 clause 3A of the Education Act 2011 states that a school doesn’t need the consent of the child in question if they believe “that there is a risk that serious harm will be caused to a person if the search is not carried out as a matter of urgency”. For example if the child is carrying prohibited items into school property. Prohibited items include; alcohol; drugs; weapons; tobacco or any pornographic images. All these items can be confiscated without question. Any search that may take place must have two members of staff present; the searcher and the witness and ideally both would be of the same sex as the perpetrator. Any complaints by parents regarding the search must be made to the head teacher who should ask for a copy of the complaints procedure. Cyberbullying and the law As stated above, the Education and Inspections Act 2006 gives the head teacher the power, ‘to such an extent that is reasonable’8 , to regulate the conduct of pupils when they are offsite. This power is very relevant to cyberbullying because much cyberbullying does take place out of school, partly because the technology used in cyberbullying, such as social networking services and smartphones, may be restricted in schools. However, the impact of cyberbullying can affect the lives and school lives of young people, so what takes place offsite has a direct impact onsite. The Education Act 2011 gives additional powers to schools – screening, searching and confiscation, including of electronic devices. There is DfE advice on this in “Screening, searching and confiscation – Advice for Head Teachers, staff and governing bodies”. This even includes the power to delete certain content. There are conditions to the use of all of these powers, so the DfE Guidance should be referred to. Some cyberbullying activities could be criminal offences under a range of different laws, including the Malicious Communications Act 1988 and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. There have been some instances of such prosecutions in the UK. The Malicious Communications Act of 1988 makes it an offence for: 1) Any person who sends to another person— (a) a letter, electronic communication or article of any description which conveys— (i) a message which is indecent or grossly offensive; Bullying and the Law briefing (ii) a threat; or (iii)information which is false and known or believed to be false by the sender; or (b) any article or electronic communication which is, in whole or part, of an indecent or grossly offensive nature, is guilty of an offence if his purpose, or one of his purposes, in sending it is that it should, so far as falling within paragraph (a) or (b) above, cause distress or anxiety to the recipient or to any other person to whom he intends that it or its contents or nature should be communicated.7 If you are worried that activity may be illegal it is important that you speak to the Police. Hate crimes and incidents A hate crime is any occurrence that is perceived by the victim, or any other person to be one of the following:  racist  homophobic  transphobic (discrimination against transsexual or transgender people) Or because of a person’s:  religion  beliefs  gender identity or  disability A hate crime is not only limited to a personal attack. Name calling, violence, property attacks such as graffiti, verbal attacks, and abusive messages either by phone, mail or via the internet can also be seen as hate crimes. No hate crime is too minor to report to the police, they will record all incidents brought to their attention whether or not a crime has been committed. Hate incident A hate incident is any incident, which may or may not be a crime, which the victim or any other person perceives to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards any aspect of a person’s identity. You can contact Stop Hate UK if you think that a child or young person in your school might have been victim of a hate crime/incident. Their website is: http://www.stophateuk.org/ or you can call 0800 138 1625. 7 The Malicious Communications Act 1988 - s1(1) Bullying and the Law briefing Bullying and the police No matter how bad bullying can seem, many incidents of bullying are not actually crimes, and therefore might not be a matter for the police. The best people to deal with them are parents, teachers, other responsible adults and young people themselves. But some types of bullying are illegal and should be reported to the police. This includes bullying that involves:  violence or assault  theft  harassment and intimidation over a period of time including calling someone names or threatening them, making abusive phone calls, and sending abusive emails or text messages (one incident is not normally enough to get a conviction)  anything involving hate crimes (see above) As stated above some incidents of bullying may be a ‘hate crime’ but ‘hate crime’ is not a criminal offence in and of itself. Criminal law Although bullying in itself is not a specific criminal offence in the UK, it is important to bear in mind that some types of harassing or threatening behaviour – or communications – could be a criminal offence, for example under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, the Malicious Communications Act 1988, the Communications Act 2003, and the Public Order Act 1986. If school staff feel that an offence may have been committed they should seek assistance from the police.