Crawley Town owner Ziya Eren has called for fans to stop making critical comments at club staff which have hints of racism.

He has called such comments ‘highly unacceptable’ and urged for fans to ‘refrain from such abuse.’

The club’s director of football Selim Gaygusuz and head coach Gabriele Cioffi have both been recently criticised on social media by impatient fans.

Eren has clarified the club have not lost their ambition they had when the Turkish owner first took over, when they had said they were aiming to reach the Championship in eight to ten years.

He has revealed the current budget is the highest this board have set and is ‘a top half budget.’

Eren pointed to the unfortunate circumstances this season of losing head coach Harry Kewell plus being unlucky with injuries and suspensions to key players.

Eren highlighted they have just made four new signings in the January transfer window which will improve the squad.

He praised the recruitment of a player (Matty Willock) on loan from Manchester United for the first time in the club’s history.

The Turkish steel owner backed head coach Gabriele Cioffi who has brought unity and confidence to the club and who ‘won four promotions as a player and has the potential to do it as a manager.’

The Reds chairman also praised the work of commercial manager Joe Compter who has brought in several good sponsorships and hinted at possible future training ground news in the pipeline.

Here is Ziya eren’s statement in full

“To the Family,

“Recently, there has been a lot of misinformation and false stories regarding the club and its policies.

“Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to address many points and I genuinely hope it provides more information and clarity.

“Before expanding on various topics, I would like to address some of our family.

“To criticise, swear or harshly offend the club and its staff is a given in football.

“We have to take it on the chin. After all we all hurt when things go wrong and we are the targets. This will never change.

“However, comments with hints of racism are not welcome and is highly unacceptable. Please refrain from such abuse.

“It’s important we look and review at all departments of the club.”

Football and aims

“We stated we want to be in the Sky Bet Championship in 8-10 years. Ambitious? Of course it is. However, it is possible.

“We have learnt a lot over the past three years. We have made good decisions and mistakes we can learn from.

“We have gained more points each season and the squad has improved each season.

“Our budget for this season is a top-half one for League 2.

“We have provided the most funding since the takeover this season (I have asked Kelly to prepare a financial report for the forum on February 11 to demonstrate the level of our financial commitment).

“Sometimes in football things don’t go to plan but we have not been in the situation facing some more established League clubs during this time.

“Genuinely, I feel we have been unlucky this season. Injuries, the timing of Harry Kewell’s departure and suspensions haven’t helped us.

“The team has played with passion and desire in most games.

“The season is not over and if the lads can get a run together anything is possible.

“The squad definitely have the talent and character. Every single player plays for the shirt and I can’t fault any of their efforts.

“At the beginning of the season the club recruited many players who have won League One, League Two and featured in the Championship last season.

“Last month we signed four players and to criticise our activity during the January window is premature.

“Tom Dallison has featured in every game since signing, Matty Willock is a player at one of the top clubs in the world and Ibrahim Meite knows the club and showed in his previous loan spell what he can do.

“We have loaned a Manchester United player for the first time in the club’s history.

“This could be a very important connection for the club and be invaluable in the future.

“Using Karlan Ahearne-Grant last season as an example, the club has shown it can improve and develop talent.

“Ricardo German is a young player who will need time but like Ashley or Panutche he can develop and represent Crawley with integrity and talent.

“Mark Connolly was the only departure that we are unhappy with.

“Mark played for the shirt and will be missed. He wanted to be in Scotland for family reasons and he is a player that has always respected the club and given 100 per cent.

“Our transfer strategies demonstrate growing revenue received each year and this is a part of our overall plan.

“Three years ago, we stated we would have a unique recruitment system.

“We have sold James Collins, Enzio Boldewijn, Josh Yorwerth and Gwion Edwards during this time.

“Of course, we would have loved to keep the players but when a player’s head is turned and he wants to leave it is only detrimental to the squad and to the club’s future to keep him.

“Harry Kewell also was ‘sold’ and that is a first in the club’s history.

“Despite the sales the squad has improved in quality and depth every season.

“If the team improves every year, which ours has, eventually - and providing the other variables go in our favour – they can be promoted.

“We have been unlucky at times this year but I believe we have grown stronger every year.

“Gabriele Cioffi is a very passionate and talented head coach. He has united the club in many ways. He cares for the badge and believes Crawley is his home.

“There have been some bad results but I believe Gabriele is creating a team with identity and increasing confidence.

“He won four promotions as a player and has the potential to do it as a manager.”

Fan Engagement

“I feel the club is engaging with the fans more than it ever has. CTSA meet regularly with our board and we are very open to talking to supporters.

“We also do our best to listen to our fans through social media and podcasts but we want to do more as we want to increase our fan base and this is where we need to work together.

Commercial

“Commercial Manager Joe Comper has been instrumental in lining up many sponsors.

“In the last three years our commercial revenue has increased yearly. I thank all our sponsors for their support.”

Match day experience

“We have tried to improve the catering and match-day experience and the club is proud to have won the EFL’s Family Excellence award for the last two years. “We regularly meet to discuss what else further we can do and will always invite suggestions from our fans.”

Training ground

“There have been some developments in obtaining a permanent training facility and during the coming months we should be able to present more information.

“I hope this statement provides some clarity for all of our supporters. Let’s get behind the team for the weekend.

“There are still 15 games to play and anything is possible this season.”

Ziya Eren

Applications to become an apprentice engineer at Gatwick Airport open today (Monday, February 4).

The successful applicants will take part in a four-year programme where they earn money while training for a nationally recognised qualification.

Liberty Frankland, a Gatwick Airport engineering apprentice from Horsham, said: “I decided an apprenticeship was for me as I wanted to continue studying and learning more, but I wanted the experience and context to what I was learning which I felt I couldn’t get from going straight to university.

“The airport is a great place to learn more about engineering and other technical or science based subjects.”

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A typical engineering apprenticeship is made up:

1st year: Training full time at East Surrey College in BTEC Electrical Engineering.

2nd year: On-site training at the airport, spending three months at a time in different engineering departments. Continuing with BTEC Electrical Engineering and beginning NVQ Level 3 in Engineering Maintenance.

3rd year: Ongoing training at engineering departments at the airport. Continuing NVQ Level 3 in Engineering Maintenance and one day a week at college to study HNC in Electrical Engineering.

4th year: Ongoing placements within engineering departments at the airport. One day a week at college to complete HNC in Electrical Engineering.

The application process is open until April 26.

More information on how to apply is available on Gatwick’s website

With half term around the corner, there's plenty going on across Sussex this February.

Here's our tips on what to do during over the half term break (Monday, February 18 to Sunday, February 24).

Police have scuppered 87 plans to bring drugs into Sussex since last April.

The action, which led to 133 arrests across West Sussex, East Sussex and Brighton & Hove, was part of the ongoing work to tackle ‘county lines’ crimes.

‘County lines’ is a term is used to describe gangs and crime networks who arrange to have drugs imported to one county from another using dedicated mobile phone lines.

Information shared with the Sussex police and crime panel showed that, in the west of the county, 13 attempts were stopped, with significant amounts of cash, phones and Class A drugs seized – including half a kilo of cocaine. Eighteen people were arrested.

In the east, 33 attempts were stopped, leading to 45 arrests, while a sword and machete were among the items seized.

In Brighton & Hove, officers disrupted 41 attempts and made 70 arrests. They seized cash, phones, Class A & B drugs and a firearm.

There was no information about the number of successful prosecutions.

Friday’s meeting was told there were currently around 65 active county lines as well as a number of local drug dealers operating in the area.

More than 350 numbers were thought to be used as deal lines, predominantly run by London-based gangs.

There were concerns from members about the potential for gangs to exploit vulnerable children and adults, coercing them to move or store drugs and money.

Norman Webster (Con, East Grinstead – Baldwins) said: “As long as there is a market people will exploit that market. We need to attack the scourge from all angles.”

The issue of weapons in the county’s schools was also raised, with one West Sussex councillor having already shared his fears that alternative provision colleges had become ‘hotbeds’ for cuckooing.

Cuckooing is the term used for a form of abuse where drug dealers befriend a vulnerable person and use their home as a base from which to sell.

Police figures showed that 41 weapons offences were recorded in schools, colleges and universities in Sussex between April, 2017, and March, 2018 – the majority involving knives.

This was a huge drop from the year before when there were 75 incidents.

David Simmons (Con, Hillside) said the figures were a step in the right direction but questioned whether they showed the complete picture.

Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne acknowledged that ‘some of the problem’ had been in getting schools to share their data, but told the meeting that the importance of doing so had been stressed.

Mr Simmons said there were worries that youngsters who had been excluded from school – including those with problems with knives, drugs or violent behaviour – often ended up together in alternative provision colleges.

He added: “All the time that the schools exercise their duty of care to the wider school community, it’s likely that young people with weapons and drugs will be excluded.

“We need to have a real focus on dealing with young people at that level.”

Mrs Bourne assured the meeting that prevention youth officers were working with schools to tackle the problem.

She said: “West Sussex division is currently running a county lines intensive activity week, where youth officers are going into schools to raise awareness with teachers about drugs and about exploitation – particularly about county lines – and the dangers of carrying weapons.”

Karen Dunn , Local Democracy Reporting Service

A member of a masked gang which broke into an Ernest Jones store has been jailed today after a spot of blood from a smashed display cabinet was found to match his DNA.

A balaclava-wearing group of five people broke into the jewellers in East Street, Chichester on August 23 last year using a sledgehammer and crowbars before stealing £131,810 worth of high value watches.

READ the original story here: Group with sledgehammer break into city centre jewellers

One of the gang, Leevan Sharma, 31, a building labourer, of Saltmead Southampton, was jailed today for his part in the raid, which Portsmouth Crown Court heard included ‘ransacking and vandalism’ at the store.

The other gang members involved, who fled the scene on bicycles, have yet to be apprehended.

Peter Wood, 40, unemployed of Violet Road, Southampton, who hired a van for the gang, was sentenced for handling stolen goods having being arrested soon after the break-in wearing a £3,150 Cartier watch stolen from the store.

‘Extremely nasty threats’

Prosecution for the crown Rebecca Fairbairn told the court the gang had used crowbars to gain access to the jewellers, and concrete blocks to jam the metal shutter on the door before smashing display cabinets and taking 48 watches.

On leaving the premises, she said ‘one or more’ of the gang members threatened off-duty police officer Inspector Godwin but charges of aggravated burglary and threats to kill had been dropped as it could not be proved which of the masked group had done so.

Sentencing Sharma, Judge Burgess said the offence was aggravated by the ‘extremely nasty threats’, which he said were threats to knife the officer and threats from a person on a bike holding a sledgehammer.

He said factors of ‘ransacking and vandalism’ at the store and the significant financial loss also added weight to the offence.

‘Significant planning’

Judge Burgess added: “I have no doubt that this premises was clearly targeted, there was significant planning and organisation for this offence and those who did it went supplied for the offence.”

Representing Sharma, Beverley Cherrill said Sharma should be given credit for his guilty plea after his blood was found on a TAG Heuer watch display cabinet in the store.

She said: “He sustained a small injury and thought that he should leave as he may leave some DNA there.

“That thought came too late for him and that was where he was caught.”

She conceded that Sharma, who had a ‘strikingly similar’ offence in his history, was phoned and ‘did agree to do a job’.

Defending Wood, David Reid told Portsmouth Crown Court that Wood had a long-standing heroin addiction and during his time in custody, he had been given a methadone prescription, which he was reducing and had come off entirely in the past few days.

He said: “He’s a man who says, if I can take advantage of the help that’s on offer, I will take it and I don’t want to be returning to the ways I have been in the past few years.”

‘Heavily convicted’

Judge Burgess said that while Wood may not have known what the van was to be used for exactly, he had nonetheless been in ‘extremely close proximity’ to the main gang.

Both men, he said, were ‘heavily convicted’, Sharma in particular for a similar offence of attempted burglary of a jewellers in 2015 and other convictions of burgling commercial premises.

Sharma, who has two children under the age of 11, was sentenced to two and a half years in jail, less the time spent in custody.

Wood was sentenced to five months, to be released immediately having already spent longer in custody.

Appeal continues

The watch found on Wood’s wrist on his arrest is to be returned to Ernest Jones, the court heard.

Another 47 watches were stolen in the raid, 24 TAG Heuer watches, two Longines and 21 Cartier items.

Anyone who believes they have seen the watches for sale online or has been offered one, or knows any information on the remaining suspects is asked to contact police.

If you witnessed the incident or have any information please report online or call 101 quoting reference 1579 of 23/08. Alternatively, you can visit the Crimestoppers website or contact the independent charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The current CE symbol, which shows consumers that an item meets legal requirements, belongs to the EU.

To prepare for a no-deal scenario, the UK government has drawn up a new logo, called the UKCA - UK Conformity Assessed.

This is the marking that will be used, subject to parliamentary approval, for certain goods being placed on the UK market.

In many cases, firms will still be able to use the CE marking to demonstrate compliance with the legal requirements, but in some cases they will need to apply the new UKCA marking to products being sold in the UK.

To check whether your business will need to use the UKCA marking, click here.

The rules for using the new UK conformity marking will be the same as those now used for CE marking.

Read more: Five top tips to Brexit proof your holiday

Q: I have an online business with 80 per cent international sales, but neither Royal Mail nor the Post Office can say if CN22 customs labels are going to be required for the EEA/EU. Any idea?

A CN22 is a customs document, used when goods are being transported overseas. It contains a description and value of the item being posted along with the country of origin. It is valid for items up to £270, while a CN23 label is the same, but for goods worth £270 and over.

Electronic customs data needs to be supplied whenever a parcel is required to go through Customs clearance. Currently this is applicable to only countries outside of the EU.

However, Royal Mail's official advice to customers is that they DO prepare to send data to all countries following Brexit.

Readers' questions: Will I need a new passport after Brexit?

As you will know, at the minute there's no need for customs declarations or clearance on anything you post to EU destinations. If we leave with a withdrawal agreement it is likely that nothing will change, at least during the transition period until 2020.

But if there is a no-deal Brexit then the current guidance from HMRC is that the same rules will apply to UK businesses exporting to the EU as do to non-EU countries from March 29.

This means that your goods will require a CN22 or CN23 form.

With just over seven weeks to go, uncertainty still surrounds the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.

It remains to be seen what affect Brexit will have on affect millions of people in the UK, despite all the talk and media coverage given to the subject.

So we’ll be investigating a variety of topics that our readers may be concerned about. We've already looked at how the price of wine will be affected, the supply of EU medicines to the NHS and various travel-related concerns.

Read more: Government asks NHS to build up medicine supply in case of no deal Brexit

JPIMedia is the trusted source of information at the heart of your community and we will be trying to bring you all the facts without any of the spin.

All you have to do is email gemma.jimmison@jpimedia.co.uk and she’ll try to get the answers. Please put Brexit in the subject line.

Like most self opinionated journalists, the words ‘I am very sorry, I was wrong” are very hard for me to come by.

However, having dedicated myself to fighting for truth and justice for the best part of a quarter of a century it is incumbent upon me to hold up my hands and admit that all of my 2019 predictions have been proved to be wildly inaccurate thus far.

Making political forecasts in 21st Century Britain is as unwise asking Gemma Collins for ice skating tips but my claim that Theresa May’s political career would come to an end before the binmen took the Christmas tree away proved to be wildly off the mark.

Then there was the assertion that Radio 2 would never again be played in the car at home time once Sara Cox took over the mike but I have been well and truly won over by her goofy word gymnastics and the fact that she isn’t Evan Davis over on Radio 4.

And we should draw a line under my unwavering pre-Yuletide belief that my team, the South Coast’s most successful ever club, Portsmouth, would be pretty much promoted by the end of January seems to have put the mockers on the team’s once seemingly unstoppable progress.

These are all comparatively minor blips when you compare it to my long held view that if I had a bit more extra cash in my pocket then life would seem that much rosier. It seems that this view, shared by almost everybody who has to put a tie or a skirt on to go to work, is now as outdated as my DVD library when you consider the latest data compiled by the killjoys who work at the Office for National Statistics.

We are now being told that despite the fact we have sky high number of people in work and rising levels of spending power, our national sense of well being has stalled. In case you had forgotten, our centrally funded number crunchers have been measuring our feelings ever since they were instructed to do so by David Cameron, a man who is in pole position for the title of Most Maligned Politician of the Decade, which is pretty impressive when you consider the competition that he is up against

Our Dave, who last we heard was avoiding the brickbats thrown at him by the likes of Danny Dyer by writing his memoirs in an unspeakably posh shed, was keen that statistics were compiled on how happy people were and whether or not they thought life was worthwhile. This was introduced in 2010, two years after the financial crash that shook the world and just a matter of months after we had exited our most recent recession. On the face of it, it would make sense for any Government to focus on measurables other than financial success, given what happened to the global economy in 2008.

The fact that people don’t feel any happier, even though life is comfortable for so many of us, merely serves to confirm the adage that there is more to life than money.

As I am clearly a lousy pundit, it doesn’t make any sense for me to make any more predictions but, given the uncertainty that we face in the coming months, I cannot see us becoming happier bunnies this year.

There is every chance I will be wrong. Let’s hope so.

A boy was thrown on to the bonnet of a car after a collision in Sussex but apparently escaped injury, police said.

Officers are urgently trying to trace the boy, thought to be aged between ten and 13, to make sure that he is okay.

Police said he was involved in a collision with a car at Preston Drove in Brighton on Monday afternoon (February 4).

A spokesman said: “Police are urgently trying to trace a boy who appears to have had a lucky escape after he was in collision with a car in Brighton on Monday afternoon (February 4).

“The boy, thought to be aged between ten and 13, was thrown on to the bonnet of the Volvo car, but was apparently uninjured after windscreen airbags deployed as he crossed Preston Drove at 3.30pm.

“He is described as wearing a blue coat and carrying a black bag. A white Mercedes Sprinter van stopped at the scene to help and it is believed that the driver offered the boy a lift home.

“However, enquiries so far have not traced the boy or the van driver and police want to make sure that he is okay. The driver of the car remained at the scene for police.”

Inspector Steve Hill said the incident could have been a lot worse had it it not been for the safety features of the car.

He added: “It is important that the child is medically checked due to the force of impact. He may have been in shock at the time and suffered from injuries that were not immediately obvious.

“I would urge anyone who recognises the child in the image or the van driver who helped to contact police online or call 101 quoting serial 784 of 04/02.”

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Coventry City boss Mark Robins has revealed Sunderland, Portsmouth and Fleetwood Town all enquired about striker Jonson Clarke-Harris on deadline day.

He said: “There was Fleetwood, there was Sunderland and there was Portsmouth early on. I have no idea what happened.

“I was told Portsmouth and Sunderland were going to make a bid so then you think what that will look like, and can we do something ourselves off the back of it. But we have had limited time to do it.”

However, with no offers on the table from the trio, the 24-year-old ended up completing a deadline day move to Bristol Rovers.

Sunderland will rival Blackburn Rovers in a bid to sign Beziers attacking midfielder Adam Boujamaa, according to reports.

The 20-year-old is yet to sign a professional contract with the Ligue 2 side, and a deal could take place at the end of the season once his youth deal expires.

France Football believes there have been offers from the Championship and League One for the Frenchman, with the two former Premier League clubs credited with strong interest.

Meanwhile, Fleetwood Town manager Joey Barton has praised both Andy Piley and chief executive Steve Curwood for retaining Ched Evans’ services amid to interest from Sunderland.

“A lot of credit goes to Andy Pilley and Steve Curwood [chief executive],” insisted Barton.

“The experience and knowledge of the chief executive and the chairman were paramount in us keeping hold of Ched Evans.

“When Sunderland were in for Ched, our hands were tied because he is not our player.

“You can understand the parent club wanting to sell the player; as difficult as that was, we were powerless over it.”

Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett has refused rule out dipping into the free agent market after Jack Whatmough’s knee injury – although admitted it’d be unlikely.

The Pompey defender underwent a MRI scan on Monday, where he and the club are expected to receive the results today.

“If I feel there’s an exception to that and someone phones me up and I think so then yes, but generally not playing and getting up to speed is tough,” said Jackett.

“I wouldn’t rule it out because there can be one but that is generally the exception to the rule.

“I would think that we have to concentrate with the group we have and have enough players to overcome injuries.”

Blackpool youngster Rowan Roache, 18, has left the club on a youth loan – teaming up with Derby County U23s for the rest of the season.

The forward struggled with a metatarsal problem during the summer before going on to enjoy loan spells at National League North duo FC United of Manchester and Southport.

Roache, who made four appearances for the Seasiders last season, was last involved with the first-team squad in a 3-2 victory over Accrington Stanley.

A man wanted by police has links to Crawley, police said.

Louis Brown, 27, who is wanted on recall to prison for breaching his bail conditions, has links to the Ifield area.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Brown, 27, who has links to the Ifield area of Crawley is wanted on recall to prison for breaching his bail conditions.

“Brown was disqualified from driving for two years at Staines Magistrates’ Court, Surrey, on January 24.

“He is white, 5ft 6in, of slim build, with blue eyes and short brown hair. If anyone has information on Brown’s whereabouts please report online or call 101 quoting 923 of 24/01.

“Alternatively, you can visit the Crimestoppers website or contact the independent charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

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Boy thrown on to bonnet of car after Sussex collision ‘apparently uninjured’

Bradford City loanee Alex Jones is hoping to put his injury problems behind him by making a fresh start at Cambridge United.

“It’s been a very challenging time for me during the past year, 18 months,” Jones told Cambridgeshire Live.

“Injuries are part of football, but the changes at the club haven’t really helped me either.

“It is part and parcel of football and it’s important not to dwell on that.

“It’s a fresh start and I’m really looking forward to it. When I spoke to the manager (Colin Calderwood) he said he could help me get back to my best again, which was important.”

Former Blackburn Rovers midfielder Willem Tomlinson has signed for Mansfield Town on an 18-month contract.

Reports had suggested Exeter City were closing in on his signature and he trained with the club after his release from the Ewood Park club last month.

But after making five appearance for Rovers - including an FA Cup clash against Manchester United - Tomlinson has chosen to sign for The Stags.

Meanwhile, Mansfield boss David Flitcroft has been nominated for the League Two manager of the month award.

He'll compete against Lincoln's Danny Cowley, Crewe's David Artell and Bury's Ryan Lowe.

Macclesfield Town have signed winger Liandro Martis on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

The 23-year-old first moved to England in 2016 when he joined Leicester City from Dutch side Willem II.

Martis' only two appearance at the Foxes followed this season, with the one recent outing coming in Checkatrade Trophy win over Rochdale in November.

Port Vale have confirmed John Askey as their new manager until the end of the season.

It is Askey's first managerial role since his Shrewsbury Town sacking in November last year.

He steps into the role to replace Neil Aspin, who stepped down after 15 months in charge.

Former Cheltenham Town goalkeeper Lewis Clayton is set for a move to Swedish fourth tier club IFK Mora next month, reports Gloucester Live.

Clayton, released by The Robins at the end of last season before joining Bishop's Cleeve in the Hellenic League Premier Division on a part-time basis while working as a scaffolder.

However, after a string of impressive performances, which saw him become vice captain at the non-league club, the 19-year-old will soon embark on a new challenge in Sweden.

Donkey Field pre-school in Crawley Down is celebrating after it won the Judges Choice Award in the Aviva Community Fund project.

The pre-school has been fundraising for more than a year to transform its outdoor space.

In 2018, enough money was raised for a retractable roof which allowed children to play outside in all weathers.

However, a spokesman added: “ Unfortunately, shortly after this was fitted the floor became unsafe which meant it restricted the amount space the children had to use.

“There have been lots of kind and generous people willing to get involved with raising the much-needed funds however, it was just not enough.”

Lisa Evans, fundraising co-ordinator for the pre-school, submitted an application to the Aviva Community fund project which won 75 per cent of the overall cost.

See also:

Crawley’s best and worst GP surgeries for making an appointment, according to their patients

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These are the Crawley neighbourhoods that have seen the most crime

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She said: “I didn’t think for a second we would be granted this amount of money for our project, there are so many worthwhile causes so it is a real privilege to be able to say that the judges chose ours.”

New flooring was fitted over the Christmas break.

Coral Lindsey, pre-school manager, said: “There is still more we need to do in the garden like add the sensory equipment and create a garden area that the children can grow fruits and vegetables in but that will come in time and we will continue to fundraise to make this setting the best it can be for our children.”

MP Jeremy Quin visited the pre-school to see how the money had been spent.

He said: “I hugely enjoyed visiting the Donkey Field pre-school and seeing children loving the fun environment and learning so much at the same time. I am delighted by their success in securing this funding and even under a dusting of snow I can see what and asset the new area will be for their outside learning environment.”

A review of Sussex Police’s actions during the Gatwick Airport drone shutdown is expected at the end of the month.

The airport was closed for more than 30 hours shortly before Christmas after reports that drones had been sited near the runway.

The ensuing chaos saw thousands stranded, flights cancelled, and confusion over how many drones there were, who they belonged to and whether they had even been there in the first place.

At her monthly performance meeting, Katy Bourne, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, was told by Chief Constable Giles York that the College of Policing was assisting with a ‘structured debrief’ of the incident.

Describing the incident as an ‘attack’ and a ‘deliberate and sustained’ criminal act, Mr York said it had led to more than 800 extra shifts being worked, seen officers knocking on the doors of 1,000 homes and prompted searches at 25 sites.

He added: “There is still a dedicated senior investigating officer committed to this enquiry with a full team working to explore all avenues.”

Describing the situation as ‘unprecedented’, he told Mrs Bourne: “The capability to deal with such attacks nationally has been strengthened as a result of this incident.”

At a meeting of the Sussex police and crime panel, Michael Jones (Lab, Southgate & Gossops Green) told Mrs Bourne her officers ‘didn’t come out of this looking very good’ and said the reputation of the force had been ‘damaged’.

He also mentioned the ‘wholly unacceptable’ way a Crawley couple found their names ‘leaked’ after they were arrested and held for 36 hours over the incident.

The couple were released without charge and police said it was clear they had no involvement in the incident.

Mrs Bourne said: “I have full confidence in my chief constable and I found some of the reporting around this absolutely distasteful.

“I would just like to put on record again that Sussex Police did not divulge the names of the couple that were arrested – and also that arresting some one doesn’t imply that they are guilty.”

Mr York said he hoped to make ‘aspects’ of the College of Policing report public when it is published at the end of the month.

Women’s Institute members from across West Sussex braved the threat of snow to meet for the first centenary celebration event of the year.

This year, the West Sussex Federation of Women’s Institutes is celebrating 100 years since it was formed with a series of special events.

On Thursday, January 31, more than 80 members from 30 WI groups across the county attended a celebration lunch at Avisford Park Hotel near Arundel.

Read more: Pictures: Centenary lunch launches special year for West Sussex Federation of Women’s Institutes

Welcoming members to the first event, federation chairman Yvonne Price asked the members to join her as she proposed a toast to the federation and the beginning of another exciting WI year.

Each table was hosted by a member of the Federation Board of Trustees and attendees were dressed to impress, all ready to meet old friends and make new ones, to share ideas and be inspired to try new projects.

Janice Langley, centenary events co-ordinator, said: “Making conversation during the lunch was obviously not a problem with the noise level only dropping slightly when the food was served.”

This is only the beginning of a year of celebration and on Saturday, March 16, groups will be planting 100 oak trees at Northwood National Trust Estate, Slindon.

Read more: WI members mark 100 years since the West Sussex Federation of Women’s Institutes was formed

West Sussex Federation also has a musical evening at Clair Hall in Haywards Heath, showcasing young musical talent in the county on March 29 with friends and family welcome to join in.

Janice said: “The WI has been inspiring women since 1915 and West Sussex is proud to have the first WI in England in the federation. We will continue to welcome new members and form new WIs for the next 100 years.”

In 2015, the National Federation of Women’s Institutes celebrated its centenary with many events across the country, with plenty taking place in West Sussex.

Read more: Looking back at WI centenary celebrations as West Sussex Federation looks to mark its own 100 years

A host of highways maintenance schemes have started across West Sussex.

The extensive programme of work, funded by the Department for Transport’s £6million capital injection announced last year, includes:

• Surface treatments to improve roads and footways

• Improvements to highway bridges

• Vehicle safety barrier upgrades

• Some drainage improvements

Roger Elkins, West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: “The DfT’s October 2018 announcement of £6million in grant funding for West Sussex Highways was great news.

“Since then, senior Highways officers have applied their extensive knowledge and professional expertise in compiling a programme of works which will make best use of the extra funding.

“It is important to realise that this is not the same as the Pothole Action Fund and is to be used for a range of local highway maintenance. Some of the money will be used to treat and repair surfaces to tackle and prevent potholes. Other areas include safety barriers, highway bridge maintenance and some drainage improvements.

“Spending the grant before the end of the financial year presents challenges, particularly if there are extended periods of severe weather, but we have plans in place to make best use of that allocation.”

This is a list of the full improvements in alphabetical order.

Aldwick:

Aldwick Road Footways - Small Scale Patching

Rose Green Road Carriageway - Resurfacing

Angmering:

Station Road Angmering Capital - Traffic Signal Upgrades

Appledram Lane South Appledram Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Ashurst:

Steyning Road Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Bersted:

Plover Street Carriageway - Resurfacing

Birdham:

Crooked Lane Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Crooked Lane Capital - Drainage Improvement

Bognor Regis:

Bedford Street Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Den Avenue Carriageway - Resurfacing

Glencathara Road Carriageway - Resurfacing

Hook Lane Carriageway - Resurfacing

Richmond Avenue West Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Victoria Drive Carriageway - Structural Repairs

William Street Carriageway - Resurfacing

Bolney:

Cowfold Road Bolney Capital - Signage Projects

Broadbridge Heath:

A264 southbound Capital - Crash Barrier Upgrades

Horsham Bypass northbound Capital - Crash Barrier Upgrades

A264 Capital - Traffic Signal Upgrades

Broadfield:

A264 Crash Barrier Upgrades

Copthorne Way Crash Barrier Upgrades

Crawley Bypass eastbound Capital - Crash Barrier Upgrades

Crawley Bypass eastbound Capital - Signage Projects

Crawley Bypass westbound Capital - Crash Barrier Upgrades

Burgess Hill:

Birchwood Grove Road Carriageway - Resurfacing

Burdocks Drive Carriageway - Resurfacing

Churchill Way Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Cissbury Road Footways - Small Scale Patching

Gatehouse Lane Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Gordon Road Footways - Small Scale Patching

Kings Way Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Royal George Road Footways - Small Scale Patching

Station Road Footways - Microasphalt

Victoria Gardens Carriageway - Resurfacing

Victoria Road Carriageway - Resurfacing

Victoria Way Carriageway - Resurfacing

Wingle Tye Road Carriageway - Resurfacing

Bury:

Bury Common Carriageway - Resurfacing

Bury Road Carriageway - Resurfacing

Chichester:

The Drive Carriageway - Resurfacing

Whyke Road Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Climping:

Church Lane Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Coldwaltham:

London Road Carriageway Surface Dressing

Crawley:

Brighton Road Capital - Traffic Signal Upgrades

Bycroft Way Capital - Traffic Signal Upgrades

Crawley Avenue Crash Barrier Upgrades

Ifield Avenue Capital - Traffic Signal Upgrades

Ifield Drive Capital - Traffic Signal Upgrades

Crawley Ave Capital - Traffic Signal Upgrades

Greenacres (Furnace Green) Footways - Reconstruction

Fairway - (Ifield) Footways - Reconstruction

Brighton Road Cycle Track - Bridge House (Langley Green) Footways - Small Scale Patching

Halland Close (Three Bridges) Footways - Reconstruction

Scott Road (Tilgate) Footways - Reconstruction

Meadowlands (West Green) Footways - Reconstruction

Longwood View (Furnace Green) Carriageway - Resurfacing

Rosamund Road (Furnace Green) Carriageway - Resurfacing

Barnfield Road (Northgate) Carriageway - Resurfacing

Redwood Close (Northgate) Carriageway - Resurfacing

Ash Road (Three Bridges) Carriageway - Resurfacing

Gales Drive (Three Bridge) Carriageway - Resurfacing

Priors Walk (Three Bridges) Carriageway - Resurfacing

Hudson Road (Tilgate) Carriageway - Resurfacing

Livingston Road (Tilgate) Carriageway - Resurfacing

Cuckfield:

Cuckfield Bypass Capital - Crash Barrier Upgrades

Leyton Lea Carriageway - Resurfacing

Mytten Close Carriageway - Resurfacing

Donnington:

Grosvenor Road to Poynz Close Footpath - Footways Small Scale Patching

Duncton:

A285 Dog Kennel Bends Carriageway Surface Dressing

Eartham:

A285 bend north of Sea Beach Lodge Carriageway Surface Dressing

East Grinstead:

Alders Avenue Footways - Small Scale Patching

Chapmans Lane Carriageway - Resurfacing

Elizabeth Crescent Footways - Small Scale Patching

Turners Hill Road Carriageway - Structural Repairs

London Road Capital - Traffic Signal Upgrades

Moat Road Capital - Traffic Signal Upgrades

Eastergate:

Barnham Road Capital - Drainage Improvement

Felpham:

Flansham Lane Capital - Traffic Signal Upgrades

The Grove Carriageway - Resurfacing

Findon:

Parham Road Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Findon Road Capital - Traffic Signal Upgrades

Fishbourne:

Fishbourne Road East Footways - Microasphalt

Gatwick:

London Road Crash Barrier Upgrades

Goring:

Aldsworth Parade Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Halfway Bridge:

A272 Crash Barrier Upgrades

Handcross:

Brighton Road Footways - Small Scale Patching

Hassocks:

Woodlands Road Carriageway - Resurfacing

Haywards Heath:

Barnmead to Balcombe Road Footways - Small Scale Patching

Bentswood Crescent Footways - Small Scale Patching

Bentswood Road Carriageway - Resurfacing

Birch Close Carriageway - Resurfacing

Harlands Road Footways - Small Scale Patching

Milton Road Circulator Footways - Small Scale Patching

Priory Way Footways - Small Scale Patching

Rowan Close Footways - Small Scale Patching

South Road to Gower Road Footways - Small Scale Patching

Vale Road Carriageway - Resurfacing

Henfield:

London Road Footways - Small Scale Patching

Henley:

Midhurst Road Crash Barrier Upgrades

Horsham:

Horsham Bypass southbound Capital - Crash Barrier Upgrades

North Parade Capital - Traffic Signal Upgrades

Horsted Keynes:

Station Approach Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Hunston:

Selsey Road Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Hurstpierpoint:

Cuckfield Road Footways - Small Scale Patching

Trinity Road to B2116 Footways - Microasphalt

Lancing:

Elms Drive Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Grinstead Lane Capital - Traffic Signal Upgrades

Lynchmere Avenue Carriageway - Structural Repairs

North Farm Road Carriageway - Resurfacing

Lindfield:

Linden Grove Carriageway - Resurfacing

Lewes Road Capital - Signage Projects

Linden Grove Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Savill Road Footways - Small Scale Patching

Littlehampton:

A259 Crash Barrier Upgrades

Fairway Carriageway - Resurfacing

Fishers Close Carriageway - Resurfacing

Norfolk Place Carriageway - Resurfacing

Pier Road Carriageway - Resurfacing

Southfields Road Carriageway - Resurfacing

Windmill Road Carriageway - Resurfacing

Mannings Heath:

Pound Lane Jnc with A281 Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Newtimber:

Brighton Road Capital - Crash Barrier Upgrades

Oving:

Colworth Lane Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Pagham:

Beach Road Carriageway - Resurfacing

Canterbury Close Carriageway - Resurfacing

Mill Park Road Carriageway - Resurfacing

Pagham Road Carriageway - Resurfacing

Plummers Plain:

Church Lane Outside Bramlea Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Pulborough:

Link Lane Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Rudgwick:

Princess Anne Road Carriageway - Resurfacing

Tates Way Carriageway - Resurfacing

Rusper:

Lambs Green & Baldhorn Capital - Drainage Improvement

Lambs Green & Baldhorn Capital - Drainage Improvement

Prestwood Road & Rusper Road Capital - Drainage Improvement

Rustington:

New Road Capital - Crash Barrier Upgrades

Shoreham:

Adur Ferry Footbridge Glass Bridges

Gordon Road Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Slaugham/Handcross:

High Street Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Slaugham/Pease Pottage:

Old Brighton Road South Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Slinfold:

Roman Gate Roundabout Carriageway Surface Dressing

Slinfold/Clemfold:

Clemsfold Roundabout Carriageway Surface Dressing

Guildford Road & associated rounabouts Carriageway Surface Dressing

A2037 Henfield Road Small Dole Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Sompting:

Boundstone Lane Footways - Microasphalt

South Harting:

New Lane South Carriageway - Resurfacing

South Acre South Carriageway - Resurfacing

Southwater:

Pollards Way Capital - Crash Barrier Upgrades

Thakeham:

Crescent Rise Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Three Bridges:

Haslett Ave Capital - Traffic Signal Upgrades

Tillington:

A272 Selham Road Capital - Drainage Improvement

Turners Hill:

Paddock Hurst Road Carriageway Surface Dressing

Paddock Hurst Road Footways - Small Scale Patching

Warnham:

Horsham Road Capital - Crash Barrier Upgrades

Warnham/Broadbridge Heath:

Guildford Road Carriageway Surface Dressing

Washington:

Horsham Road southbound Capital - Crash Barrier Upgrades

West Grinstead:

Steyning Road Carriageway Surface Dressing

West Hoathly:

Vowels Lane Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Worth:

Turners Hill Road Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Worthing:

Brighton Road Capital - Traffic Signal Upgrades

Downview Road Footways - Small Scale Patching

Goring Street Crash Barrier Upgrades

Hurston Close Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Lincett Avenue Carriageway - Structural Repairs

Teville Road Capital - Traffic Signal Upgrades

Winchelsea Gardens Footways - Small Scale Patching

Brighton Road Capital - Traffic Signal Upgrades

Marston Road (Broadwater) Carriageway - Resurfacing

Cote Street Worthing, High Salvington Carriageway - Resurfacing

Cumbrian Close (High Salvington) Carriageway - Resurfacing

West Hill (High Salvington) Carriageway - Resurfacing

Wentworth Close (Salvington) Carriageway - Resurfacing

Bellview Road (West Tarring) Carriageway - Resurfacing

Cranmer Road (West Tarring) Carriageway - Resurfacing

St Dunstans Road (West Tarring) Carriageway - Resurfacing

The Oval (West Tarring) Carriageway - Resurfacing.

More than 80 members from 30 WI groups across West Sussex gathered at Avisford Park Hotel, near Arundel, for lunch to launch their centenary year.

The West Sussex Federation of Women’s Institutes is celebrating 100 years since it was formed with a series of special events. Read more: West Sussex Federation of Women’s Institutes kicks off centenary year with WI lunch in Arundel

The LGBTQ icon will take to the stage on Saturday night (August 3) at the Pride Festival.

Last year's event was headlined by Britney Spears.

Related stories: Kylie confirmed for Brighton's Pride In The Park

Jessie J and Grace Jones confirmed for Brighton & Hove Pride Festival 2019

The star, famous for hits such as 'Better The Devil You Know' and 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head', took to Twitter and said: "BRIGHTON! It’s happening! Can’t wait to celebrate #Pride with you all on August 3rd!"

Crawley Town midfielder Mark Randall has left the club.

He has had his contract cancelled my mutual consent.

The former Newport County player began his career in the youth ranks at Arsenal and remained there for five years until 2011.

He made two full appearances under Arsene Wenger and even played in the Champions League.

Signed at the start of last season under Harry Kewell, Randall made 43 appearances for Crawley including 29 starts, scoring one goal.

This season the 29-year-old has had only limited opportunities, making ten appearances, the last of which was in the Checkatrade Trophy against Gillingham on November 13.

A club spokesman said: “We wish Mark all the best for his future career.”

READ MORE:

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