THREE towns have written to a police chief over fears they are being overrun by catapult yobs and drug dealing.

Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, and East Grinstead Town Councils have each raised concerns about the lack of policing to stop the crime and antisocial behaviour blighting the area.

East Grinstead council clerk Julie Holden said residents are “very unhappy” after shops were damaged and car windows smashed by the yobs.

The three councils have each written to the Sussex Association of Local Councils, which regularly meets Sussex Police Chief Constable Giles York.

Neighbourhood Watch groups have been set up, but the police have been unable to respond swiftly to catch culprits.

“The public have lost confidence in the police, they seem to be disinterested when crime reports are made,” the letter stated.

While the number of police officers is set to rise, the councils want to see more bobbies on the beat.

Ms Holden said: “Some matters are causing serious concern, and the fact that the police won’t always be able to respond to the incidents very quickly means people don’t feel safe and have a lack of confidence in the police.

“There has been a reduction in the police presence, and people feel there has been an escalation in low-level crime.

“In Linfield Road residents have repeatedly reported car windows being broken, while in London Road shop windows have been smashed, and there was broken glass all the way down the road.

“It’s clear someone has gone along and smashed any random window that they felt like, so residents are very unhappy.

“We are calling on the Chief Constable to ensure the police force is fit for purpose, he needs a plan of action.”

The Government has announced more money for policing, and Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said she hopes it can be put towards more visible patrols.

She said: “I want people in our county to feel safe and have confidence in their police force and we know that officer visibility plays an important role in achieving this.”

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “The letter was sent at the beginning of December and the matters raised by the councils have been responded to. Action has been taken and many of the issues have now been resolved. This has included arrests and the issue of a significant number of antisocial behaviour contracts, which have been met with support by parents and carers.”