Hassocks, Keymer and Clayton Neighbourhood Watch

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Operation Balthazar - crackdown on anti-social behaviour

In the run up to Christmas and the New Year, Mid Sussex Police are taking a zero tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour and the misuse of drink and drugs.  Fifty-two on and off license premises have been visited since the launch of Op Balthazar.  Two door supervisor offences have been dealt with following checks on forty-six door staff.

Anti social behaviour
On Friday 1st December, there was a huge crackdown on anti social behaviour in Hassocks, Haywards Heath and East Grinstead.  This has been hailed as the first joint operation of its kind between Mid Sussex District Police and Brighton and Croydon British Transport Police (BTP) and began Operation Balthazar.

There was a high visibility police presence at Hassocks railway station during the early evening, where the team, which included plain clothes officers and drugs dogs, spoke to large groups of predominantly young people, aged under 18, who alighted the train.  Public reassurance was high.
Later in the evening officers continued to disrupt groups of youths suspected of under-age drinking, who were being generally rowdy and loitering in Haywards Heath town centre.  They were warned about their behaviour.  There were four alcohol seizures, however, no arrests were made.  BTP cautioned one person for possession of Class C drugs.
Later in the evening, Mid Sussex Police joined up in East Grinstead with Croydon and Brighton BTP Officers, to deter further anti-social behaviour.
Part of the operation was also to gather further intelligence to assist with planning future activity, to deal proactively with disorderly groups.

Chief Inspector Chris Ball said: "I am pleased with the success of our first operation with BTP.  We noticed a marked reduction in the number of calls to police during the night.  We will continue to work with the local community to stamp out such behaviour.  The joint action sends a very clear message that anti social behaviour will not be tolerated.  Plans are in place to increase police patrols in the area at weekends and over the coming holiday period."
British Transport Police Sergeant James Hards added: "BTP is committed to ensuring that the railways remain a safe place.  Having large groups of drunk teenagers and those being anti-social is not something that is acceptable or should be tolerated by other passengers.  The response the police received from other members of the public in relation to this operation was very good and hopefully it has sent a stern warning to those youths that are hanging around railway stations in their spare time and being disorderly is not an option."

Test purchasing
Sussex Police is keen to combat drunken disorder.  With the assistance of Trading Standards and Local Authority Licensing Officers, local Police have been involved in checking shops and pubs to ensure they are not selling alcohol to those underage.
Two 15 year old volunteers assisted in a police led swoop, targeting premises where intelligence had led to believe alcohol sales were being made to persons under the age of 18.  The volunteers were sent into a pub or an off-licence and attempted to purchase alcoholic drinks.  The youngsters didn't lie, if asked their age and also, if asked, made it clear that they didn't have any identification.  Had they been challenged they would have left the premises.  The operation was monitored throughout by non-uniformed officers, to ensure the safety of the volunteers and to witness the sales being made or refused.
A total of seven premises were tested by the young volunteers on Friday 8th December and only two passed.  The five premises who will receive warning letters and be invited in to speak to police are: The Heath, Sussex Road, Haywards Heath; The Wheatsheaf, Broad Street Cuckfield; The Star, The Broadway, Haywards Heath; The Red Lion, High St Lindfield; The Hassocks Hotel, Station Approach, Hassocks.
In each case the seller was issued with an £80 fixed penalty notice and the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) has been invited to their local police station to meet their District Commander, to agree an action plan to reduce the sales of alcohol to underage people.

Jean Irving, Violent Crime Reduction Manager, said: "In the past, we have not named those premises who have sold to our teenage test purchasers, however, this is something we will now do on every occasion, as we believe it is in the public interest to name those pubs who are not demonstrating a social responsibility to local residents.  These are extremely disappointing results and reflect the disregard some irresponsible retailers demonstrate towards community spirit and safety.  We will continue to conduct the test purchases and bring the full force of the law to bear against those who continue to sell alcohol to children."

Ion track
Mid Sussex District Police introduced the possibility of screening people for the presence of drugs prior to entering licensed premises, at the end of last year.  By purchasing a device known as an Ion Track machine, police working closely with licensees are able to utilise the new technology as part of a crime prevention strategy, to assist venue managers promote and achieve a zero tolerance drugs policy.

During December, samples are being taken from surfaces inside a venue with the assistance of the Licensees, to identify 'high use' areas, eg toilet cubicles, so that measures can be taken by the venue to reduce drug activity there.  Police will attend a venue randomly and with the cooperation of the Licensee, persons entering that venue on that particular night will be asked to provide a sample for analysis prior to their entry.  Three Burgess Hill town centre pubs took part in the Operation Balthazar, on the Dec 8 weekend.
So far, 101 tests have been carried out (each person consented to having their hand 'swabbed'), outside the licensed premises, with 14 positive readings (87 tests were negative).
A positive reading is that of 5+ which police consider a substantial amount requiring advice and attention.
Fourteen tests showed some trace of controlled substance present and these people were then given a more thorough search by police officers.  No controlled drugs were found and no-one was arrested.  Only six people refused to take part in the procedure and were not admitted in to pubs involved in the operation on that particular evening.
The overall response from customers and staff was very positive and everybody who was tested (including those who were subjected to a search by officers) felt that the procedure was worthwhile and positive and promoted a strong community safety message.

Christmas road safety campaign
Over two dozen Roads Policing Department officers were deployed in East Grinstead throughout Friday evening (Dec 8) alongside a team from VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency), as part of this Christmas' anti drink and drug driving campaign.
Traffic officers in marked cars, as well as officers in an unmarked vehicle and police motorcyclists, assisted in stop checks of vehicles, to remind people of the requirement not to drink or take drugs and drive.
The provisional results indicate, that of the hundreds of cars that were stopped (not recorded) and the driver spoken to, a total of 47 breath tests were administered (in cases where alcohol consumption was admitted or detected and/or the driver had committed a moving traffic offence).  One person was arrested for failure to supply a sample. Fourteen fixed penalty notices (FPNs) were issued.  VOSA identified and dealt with a number of defective vehicles, including taxis and private hire vehicles.

Drink driving
Driving whilst under the influence is not only illegal, but it is dangerous and thoughtless.  Sussex Police Road Policing Department will deal very robustly with anyone caught driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.  Be aware that some days you may be affected more by alcohol than others - you may have not eaten, have taken cold remedies or simply be more tired than usual.  Think about how much you have drunk the night before.  Have you really got rid of all the alcohol in your system?  Think before driving off in the morning - you can still be over the limit.
Whatever influences there are, you need to be aware when you get behind the wheel of a car.  Better still, don't drink at all.  Do you really want to be responsible for the death of someone's loved one?

Superintendent Paul Morrison of Sussex Police RPD says: "Mixing alcohol with driving is not a recipe for a festive Christmas.  Stay away from the drink or stay away from the roads."

Drug driving
If you're driving and you've been taking drugs of any kind, you will be caught and you will be dealt with.  Taking drugs whilst driving impairs ability and ultimately, can seriously injure or kill.  It could be you.  It could be your friends in the car or it could be someone you don't know - or their loved one.  Whoever it is, they'll still be dead or seriously injured. It's not worth it, so don't do it.
Superintendent Paul Morrison of Sussex Police RPD says: "Taking drugs may well impact on your ability to make decisions.  Why risk driving and being caught?"

OPERATION BALTHAZAR's high visibility policing will continue throughout the festive season.
12-12-06

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