A PAEDOPHILE who is currently behind bars for raping two young girls has had a court order lifted which was imposed to severely restrict his access to children when he is released from prison.

Adam Warren, who lived in Warnham Road, Furnace Green, was jailed for 20 years last June.

As part of his sentence, Warren was given a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) to run until further notice.

This included Warren, 36, not being allowed to work with children, or have any unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16 through his employment.

Warren's defence team appealed against these elements of the SOPO at the Court of Appeal last Friday.

A spokesman at the court, in London, has confirmed to the Crawley News that the appeal was successful and judges have now redrafted the order.

When Warren is released from prison he will now be able to have a job or take up a voluntary position which might involve "inadvertent" contact with children aged under 16.

However, Warren will still remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Warren carried out a string of horrific sex attacks on the two girls who were aged, respectively, between seven and 11 and six and nine at the time.

All the crimes took place in Crawley between six and eight years before the conviction.

Warren was found guilty of the offences after a retrial.

The younger girl was subjected to five rapes and one sexual assault.

The older girl was subjected to one rape, four sexual assaults, an attempted sexual assault and an offence of incitement to engage in sexual activity.

Following the conviction last year, the police officer in charge of investigating crimes against children in the county said Warren's victims had made separate complaints.

Detective Constable Nathalie Bundy, of the West Sussex Child Protection Team, said: "The two victims disclosed separately what had happened to them to people they trusted, who reported it to the police."

Neighbours living in Furnace Green told the Crawley News at the time of their disgust at finding out that Warren had been living among them in an area frequently used by children.

Warnham Road looks out over Furnace Green Playing Field, a children's play area, and is used as a route for students going to Oriel High School.

A MAN has been arrested following a road rage argument at a car park in Crawley town centre at the start of the week.

Sussex Police are appealing for witnesses to a dispute between two men at Overline car park, outside Crawley train station, on Station Way.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said the men, aged 32 and 37, became involved in a "heated argument" after driving into the car park between 8.30am and 9am on Monday (February 9).

They were both commuting to work.

PC Jim Lee said: "Please contact us if you saw this incident or have any information which can help us establish what happened."

A 32-year-old man from Crawley, has been arrested on suspicion of using threatening and abusive behaviour with intent to cause fear of violence. 

He has been questioned and released on bailed until March 10.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call Sussex Police on 101.

FAST food lovers could soon sample the Colonel's chicken from the comfort of their car because new plans to open a drive-thru KFC restaurant in Crawley have been submitted to the council.

Cobra Restaurants Ltd and Gatwick Airport have jointly applied to build a restaurant on a site north of the Ring Road North at Gatwick Airport's South Terminal.

The planned restaurant would provide both eat-in and drive-thru facilities.

This is the second time in a year similar proposals have been put forward to Crawley Borough Council.

Last year the council's development control committee rejected the proposal because of the loss of woodland, trees and related ecology it would cause.

The developer has taken this on board and created a new scheme that would protect more trees through building a smaller restaurant and reducing the size of the planned car park.

The council's planning officers are due to announce a decision on the plans by March 31.

*For the full story pick up next week's Crawley News

JANUARY was a "good" month for a Crawley nursery after it received a positive Ofsted report.

Willow Tree Pre-School, on Stagelands, in Langley Green, was rated "good" by the education watchdog.

Willow Tree, which currently looks after 76 children at the Langley Green Centre, was praised for keeping children safe, ensuring good communication between parents and staff, and for taking steps to ensure there is continued improvement.

It is not yet "outstanding" – the highest possible rating – because "staff do not make the most of opportunities to encourage children in literacy activities indoors to support their early writing skills".

The pre-school was inspected on January 9 and Ofsted published its report on January 30.

When it was last inspected in May 2011 it was also given a rating of "good".

POLICE have issued a warning for people in Crawley to be extra vigilant after victims in the town have been tricked out of "several thousands of pounds" in phone scams where fraudsters have pretended to be police officers.

There have been a spate of crooks targeting people living in Crawley, and also nearby Horsham, in the last week. 

A Sussex Police spokesman said in at least two out of almost 20 recent cases, victims have been tricked into parting with several thousands of pounds.

They were conned into taking money out of their bank accounts, which they were told had been compromised, before either handing it or their bank cards to couriers or taxi drivers in the belief it was going to police.

In one such case, the victim was telephoned by someone claiming to be "Detective Constable Warrant of the Brighton Fraud Squad". 

He was told his bank details had been cloned and was advised to remove £4,000 from a joint account, package it and hand it to a taxi driver commissioned to take it to "Scotland Yard".

The criminals have been posing as someone who would normally be regarded as trusthworthy. Sussex Police has a specific operation investigating the scams.

The fraudsters call their victim claiming to be from either the police or a bank. They tell them that their bank details have been compromised and urge them to act swiftly to protect themselves. They may suggest hanging up and ringing the bank or police back straight away to check the call is genuine.

But they then stay on the line and pretend to be the police or the bank, giving instructions on how their victim should act to safeguard their money - either withdrawing it as cash or providing their PIN number for the bank to take action.

They then send a taxi or courier, who may know nothing about the crime, to collect either cash or a supposedly compromised bank card.

Detective Constable Rees Hopcraft, of Crawley CID, said: "Under no circumstances would the police or your bank act in this way.

"If you have any suspicions, please do not use the phone you have just been called on to contact the police or your bank. If possible use another phone to report your concerns or to contact a friend or relative to alert them.

"I would urge anyone reading or hearing this message to pass it on to any friends and relatives who may be unaware of this particular type of targeted fraud,

"We want to encourage everyone to continue to resist these callers, who despicably often target elderly and vulnerable people who may easily become confused."

Anyone who has received similar calls, knows of someone who has or who has other information, is asked to call Sussex Police on 101.

For online advice on fraud prevention go to: http://www.sussex.police.uk/help-centre/ask-us/fraud-scams-and-financial-issues/what-can-I-do-to-prevent fraud.

Crispin Assanah, from Tinsley Lane, Three Bridges, appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court on January 15 when he pleaded guilty to the theft from the store on March 24.

He admitted stealing food and drink of an unknown value.

Assanah was sentenced at the same court on January 29 when he was also ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £50 court costs.

A COUPLE have had £2,500 stolen from their bank account and believe it is a result of their debit card being cloned.

Richard Symonds, from Lychgate Cottages, off Ifield Street, lost a card for his and his wife's current account when a cash machine in Ifield swallowed it on January 29.

The 61-year-old also did not receive the £30 he was trying to withdraw from the ATM.

But rather than being lost, the debit card was then used by someone who went on a "spending spree", with more than £1,200 splashed out at Marks and Spencer, more than £200 spent at Asda and more than £100 binged at McDonald's.

Mr Symonds believes the card was cloned either inside the ATM, which is outside Martin's newsagents on Ifield Parade, or after being stolen, if it came back out of the machine once he had left.

"I feel shock and disbelief – anger and anxiety hasn't kicked in yet," Mr Symonds said.

"My blood pressure is off the Richter scale. I hope the police catch whoever did it before I do."

Mr Symonds cancelled the card, which was for a joint account he has with his wife Elaine, on the Friday morning after the ATM swallowed it.

But by then whoever cloned it had already cleaned out his account.

The Co-operative Bank has since refunded the money to Mr Symonds.

Mr Symonds did not realise the money had been stolen until he received two letters from the bank last weekend, which led him to report the incident to police.

One informed him their account was overdrawn as a result of the spending spree and the other said their account had been credited with the £30 that had not come out of the machine.

Criminals can use 'skimming devices' at ATMs to steal people's bank details. They are usually attached to the front of a cash machine and a customer's card details are then copied when they withdraw money.

Mr Symonds said: "I always check an ATM if there is anything odd or unusual about it, before inserting the card.

"There was nothing to suggest that – and the card seemed to insert itself in the normal way.

"If there was no skimming device, or equivalent, on the Ifield ATM, then the only way I can see the criminals accessing my account – or anyone else's – is by internally getting inside the ATMs themselves.

"That's a frightening prospect to anyone who uses an ATM anywhere.

"I will now only use a bank's ATM. I will never use Ifield's ATM (outside Martin's) again."

Police were due to meet Mr Symonds and his wife yesterday (Tuesday) as we went to press.

A police spokeswoman said: "There have been no other reports of card fraud or cloning in the area. People can help ensure they don't become a victim by taking simple steps when they use a cash machine. Make sure there is nothing out of the ordinary at a machine you use and cover your hand when you are inputting your PIN so that people cannot copy it and get into your account."

A spokeswoman at The Co-operative Bank said: "We take security extremely seriously and we work hard to protect our customers.

"These transactions were made before Mr Symonds had spoken to the bank and were credited back to his account earlier this week.

"A full investigation is under way and we are contacting Mr Symonds to fully update him on the situation."

A GATWICK Airport worker has admitted stealing more than £1,800 from WHSmith by stuffing money into his socks to help his mum pay back a loan.

Adrian Bolger appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court last Wednesday charged with theft by employee.

The 43-year-old pleaded guilty to stealing £1,840 from WHSmith in the South Terminal at Gatwick between August 19 and September 8 last year.

The court heard Bolger would pretend to scan items through the till and then take the customers' cash and hide it.

Mark Kateley, prosecuting, told the court: "The defendant had worked for WHSmith since 2009 as a sales assistant. He was working at stores at Gatwick Airport both landside and airside.

"The company became concerned about losses last year when it was noticed that money was disappearing.

"A covert camera was set up and Bolger was recorded taking money over time.

"He would put the scanner over items as a price check (rather than as a sale), take money from customers and hand them the correct change but rather than place the money in the till he took it. He was seen securing it in his socks.

"That happened on a frequent basis with amounts varying from £200 up to £480 on one particular day.

"The £1,840 total is understood to be a conservative amount of what was actually taken but it is what WHSmith can prove."

Bolger, who represented himself at the hearing, told the court he was compelled to steal, as it was a difficult time emotionally and financially for his family.

He said his mother was struggling to pay off a loan she had taken for his sister's ex-fianceé about three years ago.

Bolger said: "My sister's then fianceé could not get credit, so my mother took the loan out herself.

"When the relationship ended he refused to accept responsibility for the loan and it was left to my mother to pay it back.

"I took the money to help her because she was under a lot of stress."

Bolger, who lives with his parents in Surbiton, Surrey, said he began stealing when he was transferred from the airside WHSmith to the landside store where the set up was different.

He explained: "I was working on my own, and the only reason I was there was because my pass to get airside had expired.

"I started by taking just £10 to £15 a day. When I was alone, sometimes for up to 11 hours, it became easier to take more.

"I hadn't done anything like that before. I wouldn't have been on my own on the till airside."

Bolger maintains he did not spend any of the money himself.

He said: "I can honestly say I didn't feel comfortable in what I was doing but it was taking the pressure off my mother.

"She didn't know how I was getting the money, she thought it was coming from my pay.

"I fell into the situation and ever since I was arrested and spent nine hours in a cell I haven't stopped thinking about it.

"I have let everybody down."

Magistrate Colin Darnell sentenced Bolger to a 12-month community order where he will have to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.

Mr Darnell said: "This theft was a breach of trust and the fact it lasted for weeks is an aggravating factor. We understand your motives for doing this and, of course, it is laudable to support your family financially and emotionally.

"However, you simply cannot do it by stealing from your employer. You now have a offence of dishonesty on your name that you will have to carry around."

Bolger was also ordered to pay £1,840 in compensation to WHSmith.

BAR, nightclub and pub owners are joining forces to try and get more people to spend nights out in Crawley – by launching new discounts, fancy dress events and theme nights.

Venues across the town have noticed a fall in the number of people heading into Crawley over the last six months and have decided to work together to improve matters as a whole rather than solely for their own gain.

Businesses including Moka, Anjelique, Ja Ja Bar, Octopvs and the Old Punch Bowl have signed up to a scheme where they will all offer discounts on the same nights.

This is being launched on February 24, in a bid to get more people out on Tuesday nights.

Keiran Laville, assistant manager at Moka, on Station Way, said: "Tuesdays used to be a big crew night in Crawley for people working at Gatwick Airport and we want to get back to encouraging those numbers of people out.

"We want to get as many venues as possible open on that night.

"Ideas we have include offering special discounts, themed nights, fancy dress such as cowboys in every bar, pub and nightclub, and even bringing in live music."

Idris Demir, who runs Anjelique Bar in the High Street, has signed up to the scheme and hopes restaurants and taxi companies will also benefit.

Mr Demir said: "Tuesday used to be a really busy night of the week for the town but it has become quieter. I think some people are going elsewhere, such as Brighton, but there will also be people who now aren't going out because they don't think there is anything to do.

"We want to show them that is not the case. Here at Anjelique we could do selected price deals on drinks before midnight, Octopvs Bar could focus on cocktails and there could be different DJs.

"We also have plans for theme nights and fun fancy dress."

Mr Demir believes a town of Crawley's size needs a second nightclub and he wanted to do something about this by attempting to take over the former JJ Whispers site.

He said: "I had very serious negotiations about opening a nightclub in the building last September. The building has potential. The right person, with the right team, could do good business there. We almost had a deal.

"The problem was we wouldn't have been able to open straight away, as we wanted.

"We could have had to wait a couple of months and miss Christmas and new year."

All of the venues signed-up to the scheme are part of Crawley and Gatwick Pubwatch and the idea came about at one of its meetings.

A spokeswoman for the group said: "From time to time any town can go through a dip in numbers and here in Crawley the managers and owners have come together to raise the profile of the evening and nighttime economy.

"It is not a case of the larger venues just looking out for and promoting themselves.

"We all want people staying in, and coming into, Crawley for the whole evening and night rather than going to Croydon or Brighton.

"Crime figures are low so people can feel confident it is safe."

WE have all been there - it's a beautiful sunny day when suddenly, out of nowhere, the heavens open and you get soaked having left home without an umbrella. So anyone who has been left drenched by a downpour will be able to sympathise with this Hibernian sheep at Warnham Nature Reserve. The sodden animal was left with no option but to shake himself dry. Couldn't someone have offered him a towel? The picture was taken by reader Michael Page. Your photo could be next week's Picture of the Week. E-mail your snaps to: editor@crawleynews.co.uk

SUSSEX 

Kite making workshops at Sheffield Park and Garden

Create your own kite to fly on the parkland and tick off number seven on your National Trust 50 Things list. The special design has been tried and tested by the team.

Where: Sheffield Park, Uckfield, TN22 3QX

When: Monday, February 16 to Friday, February 20

Times: 11am – 12.30pm

Price:£2.50 per child, booking advisable on 01825 790302, plus normal admission price £4.95 – £10.90

Phone: 01825 790231

Web:www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheffield-park-and-garden

Discovery Week, Standen, East Grinstead

Make discoveries with a wildlife trail through the woods and a hidden secrets trail through the house.

Where: West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, RH19 4NE

When: Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22

Times: 11am – 4pm

Price: £1 per house trail with lollipop prize, plus normal admission charge £5.25 – £11.55

Phone: 01342 323029

Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/standen-house-and-garden

Build a Bird Box, Tilgate Park, Crawley

It's National Nest Box Week so make a home for feathered friends with the Sussex Wildlife Trust's Gatwick Greenspace team. You can make up to two bird boxes for your garden. Tools and instruction provided. The event is suitable for adults and for children aged from six years. Children must be accompanied by an adult, maximum of two children per adult and four people per booking.

Where: The Barn (near Nature Centre), Tilgate Park, Crawley, RH10 5PQ

When: Tuesday, February 17

Times: Hour sessions at 10am, 11am and noon, booking essential

Price: Members £7.50 per adult, non-members £10 per adult, one paying adult can bring up to two children and one adult with them free of charge

Phone: 01273 497561

Web: www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/whatson

Winter Adventure Trail, Nymans, Handcross

Find the gardener's hidden secrets of winter life.

Where: Handcross, RH17 6EB

When: Saturday, February 14 – Sunday, February 22

Times: 10.30am – 3.30pm

Price: £3 plus normal admission £5.50 (children) £11.60 (adults)

Phone: 01444 405250

Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans

Kids for a Quid, Bluebell Railway

Children travel for just £1 during half term so jump aboard one of the historic trains from Sheffield Park, Horstead Keynes, Kingscote and East Grinstead.

Where: Bluebell Railway, between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead

When: Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22

Times: Trains from 9.45am

Price: Child £1, adult advance ticket £14.50, adult standard £17

Phone: 01825 720800

Web:www.bluebell-railway.com

Art and science, Wakehurst Place, West Sussex

Make a "daffodil" during teacher-led activities in the mansion and restaurant, or dissect one: "There's the chance to use powerful microscopes to be amazed by the beauty of the parts which go to make up a humble daff", explains Susan Allan from the schools and family team. "Or come and take part in Tulip Mania – take a picture of yourself with the world's most expensive tulip bulb, create a cherry blossom, leaf or hazel catkin and add them to the giant trees in the mansion, gradually turning winter into spring." Outside, be a plant hunter – grab your passport as you arrive – and find a fairy's slipper or elf's cup.

Where: Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, RH17 6TN

When: Monday, February 16 – Friday, February 20

Times: Mansion and restaurant activities 10.30am – 3.30pm

Price: Mansion and restaurant activities £2, free admission for children aged 17 and under, adults £12.50 or £13.75 with gift aid

Phone: 01444 894066

Web: www.kew.org/visit-wakehurst

SURREY

British Wildlife Centre, Newchapel

See native wildlife as the centre opens its gates for the half term holidays. It is home to more than 40 species, ranging from tiny harvest mice to red deer.

Where: British Wildlife Centre, Eastbourne Road (A22), Newchapel, Lingfield, RH7 6LF

When: Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22

Times: 10am – 5pm

Price: Admission £8 child – £11 adult

Phone: 01342 834658

Web: www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk

Tandridge Leisure Centres

Create pottery insects, bring to life favourite books through drama, movement and storytelling, bake, bounce, train with Crystal Palace FC, swim, and dance at a Valentine's Disco as Tandridge Trust lays on the fun at its leisure centres. Download a brochure for details.

Where: de Stafford Sports Centre, Caterham, and Tandridge Leisure Centre, Oxted

When: Monday, February 16 to Friday, February 20

Times: Various

Price: £3.50 – £25

Phone: de Stafford 01883 344355, Tandridge 01883 716717

Web: www.tandridgetrust.co.uk

Woolly Week at Godstone Farm

See the new lambs and if you are lucky you might even see one being born. There will be talks in the main barn, facepainting and you can learn how to spin wool on the spinning wheel, make felt and take home a little crafted sheep made from your felted wool. Don't forget to say hello to Shelley the sheep.

Where: Godstone Farm, Tilburstow Hill Road, Godstone, RH9 8LX

When: Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22

Times: 10am – 5pm

Price: Included in admission price of £3 (child aged 1-2) – £7 (16 and over), extra for facepainting and tractor ride Phone: 01883 742546

Web: www.godstonefarm.co.uk

Spitfire Kids, Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham

Discover what it was like to be an evacuee during the Second World War with this interactive trail. Uncover time capsules left by evacuees containing objects with special meaning. You may find silk knickers made from a recycled parachute or a banana. Maggie Greville, who owned the house until her death in 1942, bought a spitfire for the RAF – help recreate Mrs Greville's spitfire in papier-mâché.

Where: Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, RH5 6BD

When: Saturday, February 14 – Sunday, February 22

Times: 11am – 3.30pm

Price: £2 per trail plus normal admission of £3.90 – £13.75

Phone: 01372 452048

Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesdenlacey

Build a birdbox, Denbies Hillside

Make your own bird box with the National Trust's countryside team and encourage birds into your garden.

Where: Landbarn Farm, Denbies Hillside, Ranmore Common Road, near Dorking, RH5 6SR

When: Friday, February 20

Times: 10am – 1pm

Price: £15 per person, booking essential

Phone: 01372 220644

Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/denbies-hillside

Gatton Park, Reigate

Make a kite on Monday, February 16. 10am – 2pm, £10 (bring a packed lunch), ages eight-plus.

Use your detective skills to find clues about the animals of Gatton Park on Wednesday, February 19 in Tracks and Signs . 10am – noon or 1.30 – 3.30pm, £7, ages four to seven.

Enjoy the story of Where the Wild Things are and go for a walk around the park to bring it to life in Toddler Trails and Tales on Friday, February 20. 10 – 11.30am or 1.30 – 3pm, £7, ages two to four.

The park and gardens are open to view the snowdrops during Snowdrop Week from Monday, February 16 to Friday, February 20. Noon – 4pm, adults £4, children free.

Where: Gatton Park, Rocky Lane, Reigate, RH2 0TD

Phone: 01737 649 068

Web: www.gattonpark.com

Half Term Fun, Bocketts Farm Park, Leatherhead

Early spring lambing begins with more than 70 new born lambs due. Meet the shepherd and learn all about the sheep. Birds of prey demonstrations are held twice daily from Monday, February 16 to Friday, February 20. Visit the Pony Parlour and meet and groom the Shetland ponies. Plus there is heated indoor play and lots of outdoor play, as well as daily animal handling, goat milking, tractor rides, pony rides and pig racing.

Where: Bocketts Farm Park, Young Street, Fetcham, Leatherhead, KT22 9BS

When: Saturday, February 14, to Sunday, February 22

Times: 10am – 5pm

Price: Included in admission £8 – £9.80, plus pony rides 32, tractor rides £1.25

Phone: 01372 363764

Web:www.bockettsfarm.co.uk

Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking

The annual Lego Exhibition takes place from Monday, February 16 to Friday, February 20. There is a daily Lego build at 11.30am and 1.30pm. Admission is free but you can make a £1.50 donation to the Rainbow Trust. Plus, join the Lego Building Workshop on Wednesday, February 18 at 11am and 2pm, £7.25 per child.

Take your furry friend to the Teddy Bear's Valentine's Disco on Monday, February 16 at 11am and 2pm. £7.25 per child.

Henfold Birds of Prey fly in on Tuesday, February 17 and Thursday, February 19 from 10am – 2pm. Admission free. And it's pancake day so flip, run and race between 11.30am and 12.30pm and raise money for the Rainbow Trust.

Enjoy traditional capers with Punch & Judy on Friday, February 20 at 10.30am, noon and 2pm. Free admission.

Reservations recommended.

Where: Denbies Wine Estate, London Road, Dorking, RH5 6AA

Phone: 01306 876616

Web: www.denbies.co.uk

Hobbledown, Epsom, Surrey

Explore the mystical land of Hobbledown adventure farm park. Join Huck and the gang for character led activities including story time and face painting. Enjoy the interactive puppet show, The Wonder of Winter, which takes place daily inside Topperpot's Teepee Theatre. New this year is the designated animal petting zone, The Granary, where you can meet giant snails, mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits. The High Ropes course will be open daily from 10.30m to 4.30pm and the Underground Tunnels will also be open. Animal feeding and talks place at various times, get arty in the Creation Station and burn off energy in the indoor play barn.

Where: Hobbledown, Horton Lane, Epsom, KT19 8PT

Open: School holiday opening: Saturday, February 14 to Sunday February 22, Sundays and Monday – Thursday 9am – 7pm, Friday and Saturdays 9am – 8pm

Price: Included in admission price during half term £3.50 – £8.95, extra charge for facepainting

Phone: 0843 289 4979

Web: www.hobbledown.com

Chad Kirby admits being in possession of heroin and MDMA at his home in Burleigh Way, Crawley Down, and being in possession of cocaine in Brooklands Way, East Grinstead, on September 10. He denies being in possession of 10 bags of cannabis in Brooklands Way on the same date.

The 18-year-old appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court on January 14, where the case was adjourned for a trial at Horsham Magistrates' Court on March 26 in relation to the charge of cannabis possession.

GATWICK bosses have given their reasons why Hackney Carriage drivers cannot pick passengers up from the airport.

The issue was raised by Amin Mirza, chairman of the Crawley Hackney Carriage Association, at a Crawley Borough Council licensing committee meeting last November.

Mr Mirza asked why the 122 Hackney Carriage drivers in Crawley could drop passengers off at the airport, but not pick anyone up.

He put a request to the council to ask for a five or six-vehicle rank to be set up at Gatwick for Hackney Carriage drivers, to provide passengers more choice.

In the last week a Gatwick Airport spokesman has given the following response to the council.

The statement reads: "A taxi concession has been in place at Gatwick for some considerable time.

"At one point two concessions operated side by side – both providing (the) same pricing and almost identical service, dispensation was then provided by the Competition Commission to allow this to become one operator.

"There was little benefit to the customer from the two companies operating side by side.

"There is finite space at the airport and controlling this service to provide high quality vehicle transfer is a key requirement.

"Having one company provide the service becomes a far more manageable contract than individual contracts with in excess of 250 drivers.

"This allows one company to manage driver issues and, most importantly, quality control of both driver and vehicle standards – a key requirement of the airport contract.

"This becomes quite difficult to uphold and enforce with individual taxis rather than one private hire management company.

"This type of concession agreement not only provides a good control of vehicle and driver standards it provides a supporting income stream to the airport to allow growth for the future."