Police chief defends force's work in town after trader's '˜abandonment' claim

A police chief has defended the work of officers in Bognor Regis after a trader claimed the town centre had been abandoned.
Acting Chief Inspector for Arun and Chichester Kris Ottery SUS-180131-102457001Acting Chief Inspector for Arun and Chichester Kris Ottery SUS-180131-102457001
Acting Chief Inspector for Arun and Chichester Kris Ottery SUS-180131-102457001

Trader and Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Wells told a meeting last week his 999 call did not result in officers attending, while he claimed a previous report of a theft would not be progressed because of the low value of goods stolen.

Acting Chief Inspector Kris Ottery said: “We investigate every crime that is reported to us and use our professional judgement to assess what level of further investigation is proportionate.

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“There is no financial threshold alone that means we won’t investigate.

“For example, Herman Kaarmann, 52, of no fixed address, was given a custodial sentence for stealing of clothes worth £45.98 from a shop in London Road, Bognor Regis.

“Scott Macfadyen, 42, from Gravits Lane, Bognor, was given an eight week custodial sentence for stealing clothes worth £291 from a shop in London Road.

“Looking at our crime statistic from this financial year so far compared to last we have seen a 3.3 per cent decrease in thefts from shops in Arun district.”

Ch Insp Ottery invited residents to contact the Arun prevention team by email at [email protected] or by calling 01273 404928 to discuss local issues and use 101 for non-emergencies.