Ian Ross, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Worthing West, welcomed Home Office Minister David Hanson to Worthing on 30 September 2009. Mr Hanson, Minister of State for Police and Counter Terrorism, visited Worthing Police Station in Chatsworth Road to learn about Operation Reform, a multi-agency initiative to tackle street drinking in Worthing.
Operation Reform has seen a mixture of enforcement, education and support reduce offending and has achieved housing and hope for a number of drinkers. The team continue to tackle those who will not engage through enforcement measures such as Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs).
The Minister, along with Ian Ross, Chief Inspector Hodges (District Commander) and Superintendent Gray (Divisional Crime and Operations Superintendent) then went on a foot patrol of Worthing Town Centre with the Operation Reform Team, before going in a patrol car around the area.
Ian Ross said:
“Operation Reform actually works as it brings together a number of agencies to proactively help those off the streets and get their lives back on track. It was good to bring a leading Home Office Minister to Worthing to see firsthand the good progress being made on this issue and go out on patrol with officers.”
David Hanson said:
“I was delighted to join Ian in visiting Worthing Police Station. Sussex Police has a very good track record in Worthing of tackling crime with the number of crimes going down by 4% in the last twelve months. I try to meet policing teams every fortnight across England and Wales to see firsthand for myself where improvements can be made.”
