Talking Up Town

TOWN mayor Mark Butler has called on the community to help rebuild Littlehampton s image, following adverse national publicity over the Roy Whiting trial.

Mr Butler was particularly concerned that live, television pictures from outside Whiting s St Augustine Road flat described as the "lair of the murderer" and shots of the seafront and swimming centre could harm Littlehampton s reputation as a safe, family resort.

The extensive GMTV coverage went out on Thursday morning, the day after Whiting was jailed for life for kidnapping and murdering schoolgirl Sarah Payne. "We must do everything we can to put Littlehampton back in the right light. The fact is, we live in a very safe environment compared to a lot of places.

"On the seafront, we have the tagging system for lost children and there are plenty of foreshore officers on duty. There is not a lot more you can actually do in that respect.

"Safety and security for families is the message we need to get across and, with my town council colleagues and our partner organisations, we will be working very hard to do that," said Mr Butler, who also expressed his sympathy to the Payne family over Sarah s death.

He urged residents not to talk down their town and cited a Radio 4 interview with a man who told the reporter everyone knew Littlehampton was a "dumping ground for paedophiles".

"The police have confirmed that is not the case. And with the systems they have in place for monitoring sex offenders, it makes this actually a safer place than most."

Mr Butler said the town council would again be working with tourist attractions in the town to promote Littlehampton to daytrippers.

The full story and more reaction to the Roy Whiting trial can be found in the Gazette, December 20.