Summary

  • An independent review into how the Church of England handled the case of a Sussex bishop accused of being a child abuser will be published later today.

  • The church has apologised to the relatives of former Bishop of Chichester George Bell for the way it investigated the claims.

  • Primary School children in Medway and East Sussex have fallen below the government's expectations with less than 65% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

  • The family of East Sussex adventurer Christian Velten - who went missing in West Africa 14 years ago - are still hoping he will make his way home after he was apparently seen begging.

  • News, sport, weather and travel updates for the South East of England

  1. Missing teenager found safepublished at 10:01 Greenwich Mean Time 9 January 2018

    A teenager who had been missing from her home in Crawley since Sunday 7 January has been found safe and well, say Sussex Police.

    Katie, 16, returned home on Monday evening.

  2. Golden harvest wins photo competitionpublished at 09:58 Greenwich Mean Time 9 January 2018

    Kathryn Langley
    BBC Live reporter

    This beautiful image of the South Downs has been named winner in this year's South Downs National Park photo competition.

    The South DownsImage source, Ron De'Ath/ South Downs National Park Authority

    "Harvest Home" was taken by Ron De'Ath and captures the shifting seasons from summer to autumn.

    It's our #PhotoOfTheDay.

  3. Investigation into caravan arson attackpublished at 08:49 Greenwich Mean Time 9 January 2018

    Police are appealing for witnesses to an arson attack on a caravan in Durrington in Worthing.

    A white caravan parked in a lay-by in Jevington Close was destroyed by the fire which started between 00:30 GMT and 00:45 GMT on Sunday 7 January.

    PC Dave Slade said: "This had the potential for even more serious consequences if anyone had been sleeping inside at the time.

    "The caravan was totally destroyed in only a short space of time, with gas canisters inside and outside also having the potential to cause further damage to both the caravan and nearby properties.

    "Thankfully the canisters were unaffected."

    Someone was seen running away from the caravan when the blaze started to take hold, Sussex Police said.

  4. Fire engulfs Broadstairs housepublished at 08:23 Greenwich Mean Time 9 January 2018

    The fire at the house in Rectory Road, BroadstairsImage source, @brenmar
    Image caption,

    Five fire engines tackled the blaze

    A fire broke out in a three storey house in Broadstairs on Monday evening.

    Five fire engines were sent to fight the blaze in Rectory Road at 18:30 GMT but the fire was brought under control.

    Kent Police was called to help and closed the road while the fire was being tackled.

    The road has since reopened but officers remain at the scene.

  5. Calais Jungle: Police try to stop new camp formingpublished at 08:11 Greenwich Mean Time 9 January 2018

    Around 700 migrants are living rough again in the area where the Calais Jungle once stood, charities estimate. One 15-year-old boy was killed over Christmas trying to jump on a lorry to the UK. Catrin Nye has been to meet those living there, and see the French police aiming to stop a new camp forming.

  6. Today's local newspaper headlinespublished at 08:03 Greenwich Mean Time 9 January 2018

    NewspapersImage source, Getty Images

    The Argus, external: Hunt saboteurs plan to take private legal action over whipping incident

    Kent Online, external: Man has same treatment as superman actor Christopher Reeve

    Surrey Mirror, external: Guildford Park Barn railway station plan steams ahead as council prepares to put £300,000 aside for next step

    Crawley and Horley Observer, external: Crawley man who died on A23 at Warninglid named

    Hastings Observer, external: Government funding to attract new teachers in Hastings

    Mid Sussex Times, external: Sussex Green MEP calls on council to reject plans to test Balcombe oil well

    Worthing Herald, external: Worthing set to host first-ever gay pride event

    Chichester Observer, external: Ofsted praise for school taking ‘effective action’ to improve

    Kent Live, external: Five fire crews attend blaze on Rusthall High Street in Tunbridge Wells

    Brighton and Hove News, external: Former hospital boss returns for Brighton and Hove health check

    West Sussex County Times, external: Reality TV dating show is ‘a dream come true’

    Brighton and Hove Independent, external: Works on Old Shoreham Road set to cause delays

  7. Protests over Balcombe oil and gas planspublished at 07:43 Greenwich Mean Time 9 January 2018

    Kathryn Langley
    BBC Live reporter

    Protests are planned outside County Hall in Chichester this morning where councillors are voting on a planning application to test for oil and gas in Balcombe.

    The village made national headlines in 2013 with a summer of demonstrations by protesters who feared fracking there.

    Police and protesters at Balcombe

    The company, Cuadrilla, insists fracking is not an option and says it simply wants to carry out tests to work out the site's potential.

    West Sussex County Council will consider whether to grant permission at a meeting this morning.

  8. Six arrests at Albion v Palace matchpublished at 07:19 Greenwich Mean Time 9 January 2018

    Glenn Murray scoring a goalImage source, Reuters

    Six people were arrested as Brighton and Hove Albion took on Crystal Palace in the FA Cup at the Amex last night.

    Sussex Police say the night "concluded without significant incident".

    The arrests included a 52-year-old Lancing man who was held on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and a 25-year-old West Molesey man, wanted in relation to disorder at the previous Brighton vs Palace match on 28 November.

    It was the first competitive game in England in which video assistant referee (VAR) technology was made available.

    The final result saw Albion beat Crystal Palace 2-1 to progress to the FA Cup fourth round.

    Read the full match report here.

  9. Young offenders institution 'less safe'published at 01:03 Greenwich Mean Time 9 January 2018

    Boys aged 15 to 18 are locked in cells instead of being given an education, inspectors say.

    Read More
  10. Could Calais Jungle grow back?published at 00:40 Greenwich Mean Time 9 January 2018

    The BBC witnesses French police clearing tents to stop a new migrant camp forming.

    Read More
  11. Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Crystal Palacepublished at 23:12 Greenwich Mean Time 8 January 2018

    Glenn Murray scores against his former club as Brighton beat Premier League rivals Crystal Palace to progress to the FA Cup fourth round.

    Read More
  12. UKIP leader's relationship with model under the spotlightpublished at 20:33 Greenwich Mean Time 8 January 2018

    Henry BoltonImage source, PA

    The leader of UKIP, Henry Bolton, is facing an investigation into his private life, party members have been told.

    Mr Bolton, 54, from Folkestone, left his 42-year-old wife, Tatiana.

    He is now in a relationship with 25-year-old model and UKIP supporter Jo Marney and insists the relationship began after his separation from his wife.

    In a letter to members, UKIP chairman Paul Oakden, said: "Both the committee and the leader understand the strength of feeling on this coverage and are keen to work collectively in finding a resolution that best protects the future prospects of UKIP."

    One bookmaker has slashed the odds of Nigel Farage returning as leader to just 3-1.

  13. Mass brawl outside nightclubpublished at 18:37 Greenwich Mean Time 8 January 2018

    Bob Dale
    BBC Live reporter

    Police had to break up a fight involving up to 20 people in Steyning at the weekend.

    The disturbance broke out outside a club in Shooting Field just after 23:00 GMT on 6 January.

    A 23-year-old man has been charged with assaulting two police officers, using threatening behaviour and obstructing police.

    In a separate incident at the same location, a 51-year-old woman was taken to hospital after suffering a minor head injury.

  14. Homeless man tipped into bin lorrypublished at 18:29 Greenwich Mean Time 8 January 2018

    The man, who fell asleep in a communal recycling bin, screamed for help as he started being crushed.

    Read More
  15. Two badly injured in four-car crashpublished at 16:55 Greenwich Mean Time 8 January 2018

    Bob Dale
    BBC Live reporter

    A man and a woman have suffered serious injuries in a four-vehicle collision in Charlton, near Sunbury.

    It happened at the junction of Charlton Road and Crosswell Close just after 22:40 GMT last night.

    It involved a white Fiat 500, a silver VW Golf and a dark BMW, with a parked car also being damaged.

    The man, in his 20s and the woman, in her 50s, have been taken to hospital.

    Three men have been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop.

  16. Stolen parking meter cash spent on holidaypublished at 16:02 Greenwich Mean Time 8 January 2018

    Robert Prudham's wife, Cheryl, used stolen money for a family holiday for nine of her 12 children.

    Read More
  17. Witnesses sought to A23 fatal accidentpublished at 15:59 Greenwich Mean Time 8 January 2018

    Bob Dale
    BBC Live reporter

    Police have named a 25-year-old man who died in a car crash on the A23.

    Anghelus-Adi Piepta, who was from Wakehurst Drive in Crawley, was a front-seat passenger in a black Nissan Micra.

    The accident happened around 01:40 GMT on 16 December, close to the A23 junction with Broxmead Lane at Warninglid.

    Broxmead Lane crossing the A23Image source, Google
    Image caption,

    The accident happened on the A23, near Broxmead Lane

    A 22-year-old woman from Kenley in Surrey, who was in the back seat, is still in hospital with serious facial injuries. Police are appealing for witnesses.

  18. Single punch causes serious head injurypublished at 15:44 Greenwich Mean Time 8 January 2018

    Bob Dale
    BBC Live reporter

    Police are investigating an attack in Epsom, which has left a man with serious head injuries.

    The 25-year-old was one of a group of friends which had just left a bar and was walking towards the clocktower, around 03:00 GMT on 23 December, along with another group they had just met.

    Epsom High Street and clock towerImage source, Google
    Image caption,

    The attack happened in the centre of Epsom

    The victim was hit on the head by another man in the group, making him fall to the ground.

    A 28-year-old man's been arrested in connection with the incident.

  19. Missing: Have you seen Katie?published at 15:43 Greenwich Mean Time 8 January 2018

    Bob Dale
    BBC Live reporter

    Police are searching for a teenage girl who's gone missing from her home in Crawley.

    Katie Robinson was last seen yesterday evening, and may have left in the early hours of the morning.

    It's thought she's wearing a black Nike top, black fur jacket and black Nike trainers.

    Katie RobinsonImage source, Sussex Police
  20. Car crashes after police chasepublished at 14:18 Greenwich Mean Time 8 January 2018

    Stuart Maisner
    BBC Live reporter

    Four men have been arrested on suspicion of stealing a vehicle after a car crashed into a roundabout in Chatham.

    The incident happened during a police pursuit in Maidstone Road at around 08:30 GMT yesterday morning.

    The road was closed off as investigations took place.

    Crashed car in Chatham