More break-ins at French-owned beach

A series of break-ins have now taken place at a restricted beach, according to Sussex Police.

The force said it had received "several reports" between 21 and 26 June of padlocks being damaged or broken, allowing access to Newhaven's West Beach.

The beach - one of the few sandy beaches in Sussex - has been closed since 2008.

Newhaven Port Authority, which manages the site, said it was shut for safety reasons and warned: "Access to the area remains dangerous… forcing entry into a restricted area is a criminal offence and places those involved at risk of serious injury."

The gate to the beach had been welded shut on Friday, the BBC saw on the scene.

East Sussex County councillor Lesley Boniface said staff at the port had been verbally abused and sent death threats via social media about the situation.

"It is just not on," she told BBC Radio Sussex.

"We all want the beach open, but there are ways of going about it".

A National Coastwatch Institute camera overlooking West Beach has been vandalised, meanwhile.

A spokesperson for the volunteer organisation alleged the camera - which they said is there to spot if people get into trouble in the water - was shot with an airgun.

Calls have been made to bring the French-owned beach into public ownership, with MP for Lewes James MacCleary urging the port authority to find a "practical way" of allowing people to use it.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex in Newhaven, Rachael Skelton and Nkanyiso Mbambo said it was "ridiculous" that people could not use the beach.

"There is nothing wrong with us enjoying the beach as long as we are all safe about it," added Skelton.

"They really should just open it," said Mbambo.

Roxanne Cosby, from Newhaven, told BBC Radio Sussex that she could see why it was dangerous to use the beach, as the stairs were slippery and slimy.

But she added it would be nice to have the beach open.

"What will it take to make it safe," Cosby continued.

Sussex Police said officers are "carrying out enquiries to establish the circumstances of the reported criminal damage".

"We are liaising with the landowner and the local council as part of our ongoing investigation and to help prevent further incidents," the force continued.

"While the reported criminal damage is a matter for police investigation, trespassing on private land is generally a civil matter for the landowner."

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