Local News from Tuesday, October 20th, 2026

A dedicated Neighbourhood Watch volunteer from Horsham has been recognised with a prestigious national award for her contribution to community safety across Sussex.

Five graduates from the University of Chichester are celebrating after their children's theatre production, which explores miscarriage and women's health, received five-star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Campaigners have questioned the financial viability of plans to build up to 3,000 homes West of Ifield.

Civic leaders, university representatives, businesses and policymakers from across the UK are gathering in Southampton today (20 October) for a major national conference examining how towns and cities can become more successful, sustainable and resilient.

Chichester's MP Jess Brown-Fuller has condemned reports of racist, homophobic and xenophobic abuse experienced by cast members of a production at Chichester Festival Theatre, describing the incidents as "truly disgusting".

Residents in Durrington, near Worthing, are being invited to have their say on new transport proposals aimed at reducing traffic congestion, improving road safety and making bus journeys faster and more reliable.

Police in Southampton have launched an appeal to identify a man and woman following the reported theft of a parcel from a residential address in the city.

Residents across Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are being warned to prepare for potentially damaging winds on Friday (23 October), with gusts possibly exceeding 70mph in some exposed coastal locations.

“We will find them, we will raid them.” A councillor has issued a warning after figures revealed 32 shops in Portsmouth have been suspected of organised crime links.

A major crackdown on knife crime has begun in parts of Eastbourne, Brighton and Crawley, with Sussex Police receiving £600,000 in government funding to strengthen enforcement, increase patrols and protect young people from violence.