Councils in Surrey have among the highest levels of children going missing from care homes in the UK.

Charities ECPAT and Missing People found almost 600 children disappeared last year nationally, while more than 200 are still missing.

The report looks at unaccompanied child asylum seekers and trafficked children and will be presented to parliament shortly.

The Department of Education has said it’s commissioned specialist training for those looking after vulnerable children.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37982221

Sussex Police is recruiting more PCSOs to work alongside regular officers.

32 Police Community Support Officers are to be added to the force – 16 of them will start in June next year.

They’ll be given new powers and skills to help them tackle issues affecting the most vulnerable while working in teams across all districts rather than one neighbourhood.

The Chief Executive of Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs East Surrey Hospital, received the CBE from her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace last week.  

Michael Wilson was recognised in the Queen’s 90th Birthday Honours for Services to the NHS.  

Michael has achieved 36 years of dedicated service to the NHS, having joined as a nurse in 1982. He has improved people’s health in a range of roles from ward to Board level during the course of his career.

Surrey and Sussex Police are this week cracking down on drivers using their mobile phones in a special campaign.  Those illegally using a mobile at the wheel will be prosecuted as both police forces resolve to cut the number of deaths and injuries on the counties’ roads.  Superintendent Chris Moon said using a phone while driving is one of the biggest causes of fatal and serious crashes on our roads.

The offence can currently lead to 3 penalty points and a fine of £100.  Those refusing to pay could be prosecuted, banned for two years and fined £1,000.  If officers can prove a motorist is driving dangerously while using their phone they can be banned from the road and jailed for up to two years.  New government rules are likely to see fines and points doubling in 2017.

The campaign runs from now until Sunday.