Library staff are full of the joys of spring as from next week (Monday 12 April), all 36 West Sussex Libraries will reopen their doors to the public for limited browsing and pre-bookable IT sessions. Staff are looking forward to welcoming local residents back into libraries and can’t wait to see their regular customers alongside new visitors who have discovered the wonders of the service during lockdown. To keep customers and staff safe, COVID-secure measures will be in place throughout all West Sussex County Council Library buildings. These include: asking all staff and visitors to wear a face covering, unless exempt, asking everyone to sanitise their hands as they come into the building, continuing to take returned items at the library entrance only, limiting the number of people in the library at any one time, additional arrows and floor markings where needed, safety screens at service points, furniture moved to create more space, asking visitors to complete a Test and Trace form or to check in themselves using the app. Returned stock will also be quarantined for 72 hours before going back out on the shelves. The Library Service Customer Charter describes in more detail what measures are in place to keep visitors safe and there is also a picture version which has a quick summary. For those who want to keep their time in the libraries minimal, the Select and Collect offer will remain in place. A limited, pre-bookable IT service will also be available in all 36 libraries. These one-hour sessions will need to be booked in advance, either by phoning or visiting your local library. For current library opening hours and your nearest library, visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/libraries. Opening hours will be updated on Monday 12 April.

​ For further information please contact the news desk on 0330 222 8090 or email pressoffice@westsussex.gov.uk.

For urgent out-of-hours enquiries please call 07767 098415.

Car crime is a real problem in the UK. Alarmingly, one car is stolen every ten minutes.(1) With Covid-19 and the recent lockdowns, many people aren’t driving or checking on their cars as much as they used to. At Neighbourhood Watch, we need your help to remind car owners to remain vigilant about where and how they park their cars, in order to keep them safe. 

John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch Network, says

“Most car crimes happen because cars are left unlocked.  There is a misconception that some cars are auto-locking and lock themselves if left unattended after a period of time. This isn’t always correct.  Another misconception is that your car is too old and no one will bother stealing it.  This is also incorrect – both new and old cars are at risk. Having a car stolen or broken into is more than simply a hassle, it can impact on people’s livelihoods.  The good news is that there are simple steps everyone can take to help reduce the risk to their car. With only a 46% recovery rate3 we’re reminding everyone to leave your car locked, lit and empty.”

Remember – Leave your car:

1. Locked (2)   A simple mistake that can prove calamitous: 44% of cars are broken into via an unlocked door. Leave your car locked video.
2. Lit (2) 80% of car crime occurs during the evening or at night. Parking near street lamps or in a busy area can deter thieves. Leave your car lit video.
3. Empty (or with no items on show)  Owners often forget that personal belongings within the car are at as much risk of being stolen as the car itself.   Leave your car empty video.

John Hayward-Cripps continues

“Car thieves are opportunists. Leaving items on a car seat or forgetting to lock your car can act as an invitation for crime. We want to instil the habit of double-checking where and how you’ve parked with our three simple steps: leave it locked, lit and empty.  As a local charity with a trusted voice in the community, we’re asking everyone to proactively support their neighbours and friends by sharing our three steps with three others. By spreading the word, we’re confident we can crack down on car crime which can be deeply distressing and debilitating for its victims.”

How to support our campaign:
 

LEARN: Visit www.ourwatch.org.uk/protectyourcar for top tips and advice on keeping your vehicle safe.

​​​​​​​FOLLOW: Follow us on our social channels (Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn) to share our messages within your communities. Tag #ProtectYourCar

For more top tops visit www.ourwatch.org.uk/protectyourcar

Click to access public-notice-horsham-bypass.pdf

Click to access covid-19_roadmap_posters_step1.pdf

View shocking footage that shows the significant risks associated with antisocial riding here It has been re-released as we remind motorcyclists: we welcome careful and considerate riding, but we will deal robustly with anyone who compromises road safety. Police provide education, engagement and enforcement to all motorists 365 days a year, and the vast majority of road users travel safely and competently. But with the warmer weather and the easing of lockdown restrictions likely to lead to more traffic on our roads, officers are urging bikers in particular to stay safe. Motorcyclists represent almost a quarter of all fatal and serious injury collisions – despite making up only five per cent of vehicles on our roads. Our message also follows concerns raised by communities across Surrey and Sussex of speeding, excess noise, and antisocial riding and driving, with some residents so fed up they are considering selling their homes. We are continuing to address these issues by working with communities, and partners including local authorities, charities and the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership. Chief Inspector Michael Hodder, of the Surrey and Sussex Roads Policing Unit, said: “It would appear a number of riders have no regard not only for their own safety, but for those they endanger too. “They also seem to have left their common sense at home whilst forgetting how their loved ones would feel if they hurt themselves or someone else by the stupidity of their selfish riding.” We’re also urging the public to share our social media messaging over the next three weeks, which will encourage motorcyclists to enjoy the ride responsibly, considerately and safely. One experienced rider from Sussex, who did not wish to be identified, has pleaded with his fellow riders to work with the police; not against them. “If you continue to do what you’re doing, speeding through towns and villages and taking unnecessary risks, it will result in more and more police intervention,” he said. “You could also kill yourself or someone else. It only takes a minor lapse in concentration or something unavoidable, like a cat running out in the road, for a serious incident to happen. “Speed kills, and while we don’t want to tar all riders with the same brush, it is important for everyone to understand the risks. We are far more vulnerable than most road users, and the stats prove that. “It’s also important for communities to recognise that not all bikers ride dangerously or antisocially. “Ultimately, we all need to work together. Stick to the speed limits, and drive or ride safely and responsibly. Don’t give your loved ones a reason to attend another funeral.” We will also be supporting the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s annual two-wheeled campaign – aimed to reduce the number of collisions involving motorcyclists through education and enforcement – from Tuesday 6 April to Sunday 18 April. For advice on riding safely, visit the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership website here. To report an incident of dangerous or antisocial driving or riding, visit the Operation Crackdown website here. The above footage was captured as a group of motorcyclists travelled between Kent and Sussex in April 2019. It led to three individuals being convicted of dangerous driving.