What we do...
Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Search Team - North, has been providing a service to the Community of Sussex since its formation in 2006. The main function of the Team is to assist Sussex Police in the search for vulnerable missing persons (such as children and the elderly).
A good example of this was shown on BBC TV's "Missing - Live" programme on 1st May 2008, when it featured our successful search for the missing autistic man, Martin Shier, at Burgess Hill in July 2007. Our Treasurer and Team Leader Paul Thayre was interviewed about how his attention was drawn by a team member to what initially looked like a bundle of clothing under a bush. As Paul approached and called Martin's name he stirred and was soon taken to hospital, cold and dehydrated but otherwise well after 7 days out in the open.
In Summer 2008 we assisted the Police in a search at Angmering Park, associated with a crime enquiry. Later the same day we were involved in the urgent search for a vulnerable missing person at Fletching, who sadly was found deceased by one of our teams. In September 2008 we were called out to search for a missing elderly man in Sullington. January 2009 saw us being called out to help search for a missing fisherman at Wineham. The Police Specialist Dive Team found his body in the River Adur while we were searching the banks and surrounding countryside. In March we were called out to look for a vulnerable young man in Horsham, though the search was stood down just as we were about to be deployed. Since then we have had a couple of weekend training exercises and in September we were activated to search for a 70 year old man missing overnight near Partridge Green. Thankfully he was found safe and well by the Sussex Police helicopter just as we deployed two teams of searchers. Our first callout in 2010 was on 16th February but again the helicopter beat us to it!
The team is made up wholly of volunteers who manage their time around work and family commitments. New members must successfully complete a Basic Search Techniques course (approx 8 hours) before they can go operational. All necessary training is provided to each member to equip them with the skills required.
The Search team is available 365 days of the year to search for vulnerable missing persons. The team mainly covers Mid and North Sussex including the Horsham area, having a close relationship with Sussex Police and responding to their requests. The team also assists other SAR (Search and Rescue) teams within Sussex and adjoining Counties in large scale or prolonged searches.
Most importantly, as in Martin's case above, our volunteers can help to save a life. If you feel you could spare time to become a volunteer, check out the FAQs then find out how to join. You can also download a leaflet about us here (Adobe PDF).
Meridian News visited one of our recent search exercises and produced this report.
Below is a video produced by Sussex Police on a recent search exercise.
