Police Appeal After Man Attacked In Crawley

Police are appealing for witnesses after a dog walker was attacked by a man for trying to defend her pet.

The 48-year-old victim was walking her Jack Russell on a footpath between Matthews Drive and Bennett Close in Crawley at 11.15am on Saturday when she saw a man and woman with three dogs coming towards her.

The man and woman had two brown Boxers and an English bulldog. Only one of the Boxers was on a lead while the other two dogs were loose.

The Boxer off the lead jumped onto the Jack Russell so the victim shouted to the couple to keep their pets on a lead.

The man then approached the victim, shouted abuse at her and then struck her in the face before the couple walked away with their animals.

He was was 5' 5", tanned, in his mid 30s and of heavy build. He had a shaved head, a black goatee and dark eyes.

He was wearing a black t-shirt featuring a red logo with white stitched writing around it and khaki brown combat-style shorts.

The woman was about 5' 6", pale, in her mid 30s and slim. She had gaunt features and grey or blonde dyed long hair tied back in a ponytail. She was wearing dark clothes.

Police are appealing to anyone with information to contact them.

Man's Body Discovered In Southport

A 31-year-old man has been arrested following the discovery of a man's body at a house in Southport on Sunday evening.

Officers were called to Linaker Street, Southport at about 7.45pm, after a woman called police to advise she had found the body of a 33-year-old man at the address.

Officers attended and a 31-year-old male from Skelmersdale, who was at the address, was arrested on suspicion of murder.

The death is being treated as unexplained. A post mortem examination to establish the cause of death is due to be carried out.

Atkins Acquires NSA

Atkins has acquired Nuclear Safety Associates (NSA), an engineering and technical services firm for approximately £9 million.

NSA has a well established project and client base in the US nuclear market and in the year to 31 December 2013, NSA reported revenue of around US$25m, approximately £15m.

Prof Dr Uwe Krueger, Atkins’ chief executive officer, commented: "This acquisition is another step towards our strategy to be one of the world’s leading energy consultancies. NSA will enhance our presence in North America, the world's largest nuclear market, and its safety and security skills will strengthen our international nuclear offering."

(CD/IT)