Friends of Combe Valley have received a £500 donation from Sussex Police. 

The donation is through the Police Property Act Fund (PPAF) and comes from monies received by the police from property confiscated by order of the courts and then sold.  

PCSO Daryl Holter, the Heritage Crime Officer and Advisor who secured the donation for Combe Valley, said: “I am delighted to have been able to help the Friends of Combe Valley charity, working in partnership with David Dennis, the charity trustees and volunteers who look after wildlife, heritage, environment and safety of the valley. I can’t thank them enough for all they do.”

“We are really grateful to Sussex Police – the funding will go towards equipment for the new Warden Service and will make a real difference,” Trustee and Warden Service Co-ordinator, David Dennis said.

The Combe Valley Wardens are already supported by a grant from the Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne. They regularly patrol the valley and support the safety of people engaged in social activities, learning about wildlife, education about the environment, protection of wildlife habitats and the opportunity for adventure and discovery for all.

The Combe Valley wildlife sanctuary contains two sites of special scientific interest; Combe Haven Central and Filsham Reed Beds. The area is bounded in the north by Crowhurst and Battle and in the south by Bexhill, Sidley, Bulverhythe and St Leonards-on-Sea.

As a result o the donation people living nearby should benefit, from the increased protection against vandalism, the burning of bird hides, the destruction of bat boxes, extensive fly tipping, destruction of fences and threats to wildlife habitats.