NEWS IN BRIEF
DOG-FOULING IN HASTINGS
A pet agency Bubblegum Search has reported the results of Freedom of Information (FOI) research into data of dog-fouling across the UK. It reveals that 347 complaints of dog-fouling were logged by Hastings Borough Council during the calendar year 2024, but that no fines were levied nor any other enforcement action taken. This was, per head of population, the highest rate of complaint with zero action of any council across the UK apart from one in Northern Ireland.
An HBC spokesperson said: “The result of dog fouling is unfortunately often seen, but the actual offence of failing to pick up is not; unless that is witnessed, it is very difficult to prosecute offenders. Our focus has been on clearing up reported fouling as quickly as possible, providing enough bins for fouling to be disposed of correctly, and encouraging people to report where they can.”
POLICE RAIDS
On 15 November Sussex Police reported the results of a month-long campaign codenamed Operation Machinize that aimed to tackle illegal goods and money laundering at premises including car washes, barbers shops, nail bars and convenience stores. Immigration and Trading Standards officers were also involved.
A West Sussex team obtained warrants to enter both business and residential premises, visited 53 separate addresses, made 17 arrests, and seized over £30,000 cash as well as a high volume of goods. The East Sussex team weren’t armed with any warrants, visited just 19 business premises by invitation, and arrested one man who has not as yet been charged.
COUNTY OF POT-HOLES
East Sussex County Council paid over £598,000 in compensation to drivers between 2022 and 2024 for pot-hole damages sustained on its road network, according to a survey carried out by the car insurance consultants Go.Compare. Among 171 councils across England and Wales, East Sussex were second only to Staffordshire over this period in sums paid out.
A spokesperson for East Sussex Highways responded that they manage more than 2,000 miles of road, and last year had repaired more than 20,000 potholes as well as undertaking “a significant amount of planned maintenance”.
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