On Friday 10th February Jeremy Quin Member of Parliament for Horsham held a public meeting at Kilnwood Vale Primary School to discuss concerns regarding a car “meet up” in January and car racing near Kilnwood Vale. Jeremy was joined by the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne and Chief Inspector Jim Collen. Kilnwood Vale residents had raised concerns with Mr Quin who had immediately contacted Sussex Police.
A large car meet up took place at Kilnwood Vale on the 6th January, with shocking footage of cars driving dangerously whilst spectators watched from the side of the road.
Addressing the meeting Chief Inspector Collen set out the police’s well-resourced and intelligence-led plan for tackling this issue which has resulted in no further episodes.
Jeremy Quin said “This has been a highly successful police operation. The meeting was convened to address residents' concerns about what had been an outbreak of highly concerning and dangerous behaviour, totally out of keeping with the area. In practice at the meeting we were able to thank the police for their work. Perpetrators, who had apparently in certain cases, driven significant distances to get to the “meet” have been pursued and there has been no repetition. Chief Inspector Collen explained how his team have acted robustly on this issue and continue to keep a close watch on similar activity around the area. It will require ongoing vigilance but the Police have made clear this behaviour will not be tolerated.”
Photo caption: Jeremy Quin MP, The Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne and Chief Inspector Jim Collen listen to residents’ concerns.