Last Friday I met with Darren Taylor, our Mid Sussex Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector, to hear how the extra resources are really making the difference in our towns and villages in tackling rural crime and keeping our communities safe. We are grateful for all they do daily, alongside our wonderful local emergency services.
This week, I joined Sussex PCC Katy Bourne, with Ministers at the Ministry for Justice, to make progress on better support for women offenders to move forward and help them reach their next employment steps, as they move into a new future.
Meanwhile, Katy and I are backing the campaign to support our shopworkers who simply get too much abuse while doing their jobs. Their stamina and determination to keep retail running throughout an incredibly tough couple of years has been amazing. Unfortunately, over 400 shopworkers face daily verbal or physical abuse whilst carrying out their work. The #ShopKind campaign is determined to tackle this, by encouraging positive behaviour, acknowledging the essential role of shopworkers in our communities and raising awareness about this unacceptable and despicable behaviour. Let’s all be considerate when shopping, whether it’s a simple gesture of wishing a shopworker a good day or remaining respectful if there are long queues for the checkouts. Let’s reduce the abuse and remember how important these people are in our daily lives.
Don’t miss this too - if you are a local community group aiming to cut crime and improve safety there is still time to apply for grants from PCC Katy Bourne’s “Safer in Sussex Community Fund” via the Sussex PCC website.
It was fantastic to visit Bolney CofE Primary School during their 150th anniversary. It was a pleasure to chat to students, answer their questions, see their wonderful forest school and gardening club produce and share this historic moment with them.
Finally, the Alzheimer Society are looking for a new lead facilitator for the Haywards Heath Dementia Friendly Community. It’s a voluntary role and is a fabulous way to make a difference in the community to those living with dementia. For more details, please contact Dawn.fairbrother@alzheimers.org.uk