Police sergeant reveals how she has been tackling anti-social behaviour in Chichester and Arun

Sergeant Amy McAlees is one of three new neighbourhood policing sergeants making a positive impact in the Arun and Chichester districts.

Since taking on the new role in July 2020, Sgt McAlees has focused on the Manhood peninsula, where her team’s determination in tackling anti-social behaviour and disorder, particularly in Selsey and Bosham during lockdown, has received recognition from local councils and residents.

“Bosham saw a large increase in anti-social behaviour in the summer months of 2020 during Covid restrictions,” Sgt McAlees said.

“To tackle this we targeted regular patrol activity, with both a PCSO and PC presence, and used community resolutions and fines. I also set up a local action team, made up of residents, the council, business people and others.

“The community have reported a significant decrease in anti-social behaviour and we are planning to continue this into spring and summer 2021. We have been really touched by the positive feedback we got, including nine letters of thanks from local residents.”

The policing team has taken a ‘joined-up approach’ in Selsey, with days of action targeting local hotspots to identify young people involved in anti-social behaviour and ‘positive action to prevent further offending’.

This is in partnership with the community warden, the local school, the parish council and other agencies.

Sgt McAlees added: “We have a police hub within the Selsey town hall and I instruct the local PCSOS and PC to work out of this hub, so they can work closely with the parish council. The local community have reported they are feeling safer and more confident in the services we are providing.”

Sgt McAlees and her team have received a large number of thank you letters from the public.

“I have a high work ethic in myself and that will always rolls downwards if you support those you lead,” she said. “I always make sure my team feel respected, valued and supported.

"I recognise and praise the good work they do. I pride myself on the work my team and I do in order to deliver an excellent service to the public, and am very proud of the praise they have received inside and outside the organisation.”

An operation approach led by Sgt McAlees, alongside colleague Laura Marmalejo, across Chichester and now Arun, has had success in engaging the street community to reduce offending and risk of harm.

Sgt McAlees continued: “It’s about working in partnership with other agencies to support the street community and provide safeguarding and rehabilitation rather than putting them through the justice system, which often doesn’t serve as a deterrent for this community. By focusing on the individuals rather than solely the offending, the operation has resulted in a decrease of reports and an increase in positive outcomes and marked improvements for individuals.”

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said the decision was made to recruit 17 new neighbourhood policing sergeants after listening to public feedback.

She said: “I have listened intently to public feedback on local policing and Chief Constable [Jo] Shiner shares in the determination to bolster neighbourhood policing and provide the visibility residents have asked for.

“I’m so pleased that last year’s precept has funded additional leadership for these teams so that officers will be given clear direction to tackle local issues, using vital community intelligence.This further strengthening of our frontline I’m sure is welcome news to all residents and it’s impressive the positive impact that they have made in such a short space of time.”