Violent crime is still on the increase in Worthing, police say.

In a borough council report on community safety, Chief Inspector Russ Whitfield gives an update on crime levels in the town.

Mr Whitfield, district commander of Worthing, said: "Public place violent crime remains one of our priorities and despite everything that is in place in Worthing with regard to Operation Fortress and the links we have forged with Pubwatch and Clubwatch, violent crime is still on the increase.

"The anti-social drinking legislation brought in on April 9 will undoubtedly assist us in reaching targets but we also now have the public service agreement targets and there is an initiative taking place with regard to this, concerning putting police officers at Worthing Hospital in order to deal with the 'golden hour' of an investigation."

Efforts to stop crack houses establishing themselves had been a success and Mr Whitfield said: "At present, we do not have any notable crack houses and we have a policy with regard to our dealing with them should they arise in Worthing.

"We must always be alive to this possibility and the local support team will be raiding local crack houses the minute we understand there is one in Worthing."