Firefighters attended a blaze in Copthorne at the weekend.

Crews arrived at the home in Roffeys Close Sunday evening shortly before 7 o’clock to find a gas barbecue and gas cylinder well alight.

It was deemed accidental and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service have issued the following advice:

• Make sure your barbecue is in good working order.
• Ensure the barbecue is on a flat site, well away from a shed, trees or shrubs.
• Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area.
• Never leave the barbecue unattended.
• Make sure the tap is turned off before changing the gas cylinder.
• Change cylinders outdoors if possible or in a well ventilated area.
• If you suspect a leak to the cylinder or pipe work, brush soapy water around the joints and watch for bubbles – tighten to fix but do not over tighten.
• After cooking, turn off the gas cylinder before turning off at the controls to ensure any residual gas in the pipe work is used up.

Two masked men robbed a woman in her home in Reigate.

Shortly before midnight last Tuesday the victim was alone in her kitchen when the offenders entered the property through a side door.

They demanded money and her phone.  The victim was then thrown to the floor, her diamond encrusted Tag Heuer watch was taken from her wrist and £40 cash from her purse.  The offenders also attempted to take the earrings she was wearing.

The men then fled the scene in a dark-coloured vehicle.

Both suspects were wearing masks, dark clothing and had their hoods up.

Police are asking for your help in locating a teenager who has gone missing from Crawley.

13 year-old Cameron Gittins was last seen half-past eight Friday morning but did not go to school.  He had a black scooter with him.

Cameron is described as white, 5ft and slim with short brown hair.

He often hangs around skate parks and has friends in Crawley and Littlehampton.

Anyone with information is asked to phone 101.

A drink driver who rammed a police car in Redhill has been jailed.

21 year-old James Rowson was twice the legal limit when he had driven from Kent to Merstham last month.  A member of the public called police after witnessing the vehicle being driven on the wrong side of the road in Caterham.

An officer then followed Rowson after witnessing a similar incident in Chaldon.  It was in Redhill where the driver attempted to join the A23.  The officer has blocked the exit with the patrol car and at this point Rowson rammed the vehicle.  He also drove at the officer when she exited her vehicle to make the arrest.

A police dog located Rowson in the undergrowth alongside the M23 after he ran from the scene.

Rowson pleaded guilty to drink driving, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without a licence, and assault.  He was sentenced to 44 weeks in prison, banned from driving for a year, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £100 and a criminal courts charge of £90.

A former Surrey Police Inspector has been charged with eight offences relating to indecent images of children.

The 43 year-old was stationed in Reigate at the time of his arrest.

An investigation was carried out by Sussex Police at the request of Surrey Police.

It is not believed any police equipment was used for the alleged offences and images are not thought to be of local children.