THE Sussex Police CCTV van based inLittlehampton caught youths in the act while they caused criminal damage to a building site.
The new community centre, which is being built in Southfield Road, Littlehampton, had been subjected to several incidents during March, and police had received numerous reports of the site being broken into, property being damaged and theft.
PCSO Andy Orpin, who is specially trained to use the mobile unit, parked the vehicle some 219 meters away from the siten and monitored the area. With two of his neighbourhood policing team colleagues, Andy watched on screen as three youths climbed onto the security fencing and pulled it down.
Soon after, the officers caught up with the trio who had made off from the scene.
“This really highlights how valuable the information obtained from this type of equipment is in assisting the police in the fight against crime,” said Andy.
“CCTV has been in used in Sussex for a number of years now, and provides irrefutable evidence. We are very lucky to have the vehicle based here at Littlehampton.
“I would like to thank the local residents in the area for reporting the incidents to us. This is a really good example of how communities, working with Sussex Police, can give us an opportunity to make a difference to where they live.”
In consultation and agreement with the victim, the three youths involved in the criminal damage will be dealt with by way of a community resolution – this scheme allows offenders to make amends and recognise the impact of their behaviour, without them being criminalised for first-time or lower-level crimes.
Watch the video to see the youths committing the criminal damage.
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