Recent incidents of anti-social behaviour in Rye prompted local businesses to call a Safer Rye meeting. On Wednesday 8 July they brought together different parts of the community to discuss the problem and try find solutions with representatives from the local Sussex Police team.
As well as High Street businesses, Rye Town Council, Rye College and Rye Chamber of Commerce were all represented, along with the team from Rye Youth Zone who hosted the discussion on Mermaid Street.
“Anti-social behaviour is not confined to Rye,” said Reverend Paul White from St Mary’s Church who chaired the meeting. “It’s a national issue. It’s not easy to solve but it is something we need to pull together on as a town to find a solution. This meeting is about finding a positive way forward, working with all the agencies to tackle crime and divert young people away from getting involved in crime.”
Broken windows and damage to property caused by catapults was raised as a recent issue, along with shoplifting and intimidation. At least one unused building has been wrecked, with every window broken and a fire causing extensive damage. “There has been an escalation,” said one local business owner. Church Square and Rock Channel were two areas highlighted, along with Cinque Ports Street.
Inspector Simon Whitehead, who leads the Sussex Police team in Rye and the Rother District, acknowledged there was a problem. “Clearly what has happened is unacceptable and is significant to those affected, but Rye is a very low crime area. It is one of the lowest in Sussex.”
He shared how Rye has a tenth of the anti-social behaviour compared to Bexhill, but committed to tackling what the meeting heard was a handful of young people causing the recent problems. He urged anyone affected to report incidents to Sussex Police.
Rye News will have more on the police response to anti-social behaviour in next week’s paper.
Rye College headteacher Dom Downes urged Ryers to contact him directly if they spot any offenders in the school uniform. “Vandalism affects the school too,” he said. “Some children who attend Rye College are involved, many of those causing damage do not. We talk about it a lot at the college, showing the consequences of criminal behaviour.”
The work Rye Youth Zone (RYZ) does in supporting the town’s young people was commended, but the meeting heard it urgently needs more support in both volunteers and funding.
“We need to be a community that comes together to help raise Rye’s children,” said Sophie Thorpe who runs RYZ. “We have a really good relationship with Sussex Police and there’s an incredible reaction when officers come to talk to our members. People make too many assumptions about young people but many are unused to people caring. Please encourage any young people you know to get involved in the youth club.”
The meeting heard concerns about sharing pictures of alleged offenders on social media. It was also agreed that anti-social behaviour wasn’t just caused by young people.
Closing the meeting Reverend White said, “There’s a small group of offenders causing a big impact in Rye. We need to be better at reporting what has happened to the police and to trust them to act on it. There are a lot of positive things happening in Rye and we could do a lot better in supporting them. The vast majority of young people in Rye are not a problem.”
A further meeting will take place in January.
Image Credits: James Stewart .
Do the police actually punish crime in Rye? Have any of the young people committing the crimes actually been charged, I wonder? The police response feels weak, and with no hard deterrent, it seems like it’s open season for young criminals in Rye to continue using catapults to damage property, injure and kill birds and other animals, in some cases I’ve even read about an elderly man being hit with a catapult near Cranbrook – could it be the same young lads? Not to mention the brazen young thieves targeting the local independent shops. It’s a real problem even if the rate of crime is apparently low compared to other towns.
A friend reported to the school that 2 friends of hers were targeted near the school by boys in their uniform and one of them was hit.
No response from school
Unfortunately the police are not very present in Rye and to respond the saying is: “we have to catch them in the act” thats not going to happen if police not present. Locals see it . Are we allowed to photograph and shame them ? Probably not so they get more brazen like the incident witnessed near the church
Some time ago RDC put out a note in effect saying that low -level crime was not on the priority list. Could have misread…
And we need to challenge such behaviour. I did, with poor outcome ,chasing 4 boys from Jempsons. Ran like gazelles with this auntie, then 77, in hot pursuit. Ran out of puff up steep stairs, and the youngest turned from above, asking me what they had done wrong!!
One tries, but the point is that everybody should challenge and make an effort.