A COUNCIL has sent a letter to town centre businesses promising action on a recent spike in antisocial behaviour.

Worthing Borough Council delivered a joint letter with Sussex Police and the Town Centre Initiative to shops in the town outlining efforts to tackle bad behaviour.

The letter says many of the problems Worthing is experiencing are national issues, but accepts more needs to be done on making the town centre safe.

It claims the council’s Rough Sleeper and Outreach teams are working to help the homeless community into housing, including removing an encampment outside Laura Ashley in the Montague Centre.

Sussex Police Chief Inspector Miles Ockwell said the town’s rough sleepers are vulnerable.

He said: “The street community are some of the most vulnerable in our town.

“The recent negative comments on social media platforms and local media have increased, resulting in them being targeted and becoming victims of crime.

“The individuals involved in antisocial behaviour are the minority and we know who they are.

“We are determined to not let a small number of people disrupt others’ enjoyment of our town.”

Val Turner, councillor in charge of wellbeing, added: “We recognise the absolute need for residents to feel comfortable when they visit our town centre and we understand the concerns of traders.

“Our teams dealing in this field are first class and have to deal with a range of complex issues but I want to assure everyone that we are entirely focused on the problem.’

But Worthing Council of Commerce chief executive Tina Tilley said it will take a “concerted effort” to improve safety in the town.

She said: “I think we have had what I hope is a short term blip but we need to clamp down on it as soon as possible.

“All incidents need to be reported to the police. They can’t help unless they’re reported to the authorities.

“There is always more that can be done, but the council has been doing more since the incidents occurred. I think this is a good starting point.

“The owners of town centre properties need to make sure these properties are secure to keep them from becoming rough sleeping spots. We’re not anything exceptional but we don’t want to this to get any worse so we keep our reputation as a safe, nice town.”