RESIDENTS of a crime-riddled town have been left frustrated by a continued lack of police presence.

Peacehaven has suffered from a waves of antisocial behaviour since the closure of its police station last September.

Sussex Police is carrying out a week-long patrol in Maidenbower this week to reduce antisocial behaviour, leaving the residents of Peacehaven to feel they are being overlooked.

Recent crime figures in both towns are similar – there have been 78 reports of antisocial behaviour in Maidenbower from March to May, and 72 for the same period in Peacehaven.

Most recently in Peacehaven, three young males were seen throwing stones at passing cars in South Coast Road, from the roof of the Phillip Mann estate agent.

The resident who reported it, a man who wanted to remain anonymous, was annoyed at the news that Peacehaven is not being given the same treatment as Maidenbower. He said: “It’s very frustrating that we are not getting a patrol.

“I think it would very much reduce the amount of antisocial behaviour crimes in the area. The youths that are out know that they can go wherever they want and do whatever they want without getting punished.”

The man, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, said he is struggling to sleep at night after last week’s incident.

He said: “I am having nightmares about the kids who were throwing the rocks at cars. I hear the cars driving past at night from my bedroom and it makes me nervous.

“There should be a patrol of Peacehaven, definitely. It would put my mind at ease for a little bit at least.”

Other crimes in Peacehaven include the Meridian Centre windows being smashed in July, the Martlets shop in South Coast Road being broken into in June and 63-year-old Derek Bishop having his jaw broken by a gang of youths.

Peacehaven Town Council recently said it is working with the police to tackle crime in the area.

Jade Weeks, 27, of Grassmere Avenue, said: “ The list of recent troubles goes on but still we have zero attendance of the police, no matter how often people raise these concerns.

“The police station hasn’t been manned for a long time but since it shut the trouble really started. The lack of presence of the authorities means people think they can do what they like as there is zero backlash.

“ It seems things will only change when something awful happens to make them take drastic action.”

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “We are considering a number of actions to tackle issues in Peacehaven including installing security cameras in the town.

“There has been a discussion about community wardens in Peacehaven, but this is in its very early stages and we are not able to comment on the specifics of how this work at this stage.

“Officers also patrol the area and responding to requests for assistance on a 24-hour-a-day basis, from our district response team, road policing officer and dog units.

“Overall reported crime in the area has decreased recently.”