Editorial

WNW has received two notifications from residents who have reported incidents caught on their vehicle dash-cams to Sussex Police “Operation Crackdown.” One resident reported an individual on a motorbike sporting a rear L plate, who drove across the front of their vehicle, then proceeded to weave in and out of traffic at high speed.

The second incident we have been notified of by another resident, which was also reported to “Operation Crackdown”, of a vehicle that drove at their vehicle and then swerved away from them, both occupants of the vehicle saw the driver of the dangerously driven vehicle using a mobile phone. Any updates from Operation Crackdown will be posted on this page.

During a very recent session in Seven Sisters Road, Willingdon Community Speed Watch registered 16 vehicles speeding above the speed limit in one hour. Details of all those vehicles have been sent to Sussex Police to be dealt with by them. One of the vehicles was in fact a motorcycle carrying L plates and being ridden at 41mph in this 30mph area.

Willingdon Community Speed watch is now in it's 11th year,and has six Sussex Police approved sites around our village, one site is in the village of Jevington, another in Wannock, one in Gorringe Valley road, Meadows Road, Coppice Avenue, and Seven Sisters Road.

Several of them are virtually redundant due to vehicles in recent years being parked on both sides of the road which in fact actually helps to slows traffic down, however, it also makes it almost impossible for us to get a clear view of any on coming vehicles with our speed gun, and one rule from Sussex Police we must follow at all times is not stepping into the road. By far the worst road in Willingdon for speeding is Seven Sisters Road, where on average, we have recorded one vehicle speeding every 5 minutes.

We have to supply Sussex Police with 5 pieces of info for each speeding vehicle, the speed of the vehicle ( only speeds above 36mph are accepted by Sussex Police),the registration number, vehicle colour,make, and if possible model. However, for all of that info we supply only around 70% of all the vehicles we register speeding are actually contacted by Sussex Police, the other 30% are unknown, probably we gave a wrong colour, or maybe a wrong make even though we check our body cam video before we erase all recordings and destroy all paper records in accordance with Speed Watching Rules.

My own theory is that there are a lot of unregistered vehicles out there,or maybe running on false number plates, how I would love to know the real truth.

It is also a great shame that we have to wear Police approved body cams as over the past couple of years, threats and verbal abuse have risen dramatically, and unfortunately, a sign of changing times to come.

Looking at data from to current, crime remains relatively low in the beat code for your location.

Below are reports made to Sussex Police in the mentioned date range. Please note that the information has been redacted, meaning no other details of these reports will be shared.

• 21/11 – Youth ASB within lower Willingdon – Dealt with by Wealden Neighbourhood Policing Team
• 21/11 – Youth ASB within lower Willingdon – Dealt with by Wealden Neighbourhood Policing Team
• 19/11 – Youth ASB within lower Willingdon – Dealt with by Wealden Neighbourhood Policing Team
• 19/11 – Dangerous parking within upper Willingdon – Dealt with by Wealden Neighbourhood Policing Team
• 11/11 - Youth ASB within lower Willingdon – Dealt with by Wealden Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Operation Downsway

Wealden NPT (neighbourhood policing team) continue with our Operation Downsway activity reducing KSI’s (killed and seriously injured) on our roads and PC’s and PCSO’s across the district have been positively engaging with motorists, completing speed checks, supporting Community speed watch sessions, as well as monitoring mobile phone and seatbelt checks on drivers.

Operation Portman

Operation Portman is a new initiative that covers the policing response into motorcycle thefts.
This operation covers Wealden, Lewes and Eastbourne
I am aware of the huge increase in reports of motorcycles riding recklessly off and on road and our RPU (Roads Policing Unit) along with NRT (Neighbourhood Response Teams) are working tirelessly to charge those involved as well as trying to identify other individuals not yet known to police.
As Wealden NPT we have increased the number of patrols within the Willingdon, Jevington and Polegate areas as these are the areas being most affected by stolen as well as reckless driving incidents with motorcycles. We have increased our police presence through the use of DPA (Directed Patrol Activity) and I can assure you all teams within Wealden NPT are aware of the problems affecting the community currently.
All I can ask for residents is their continued reporting of these incidents to help us build a picture of what times and where these offenders are riding these motorcycles.

Operation Avenge

Op Avenge is our response in Sussex to the significant rise in organised keyless vehicle theft, mainly perpetrated by organised crime groups, that present a high level of threat, risk and harm. 
Op Avenge delivers focussed targeted operational activity to catch organised crime thieves and deter vehicles stolen by keyless means.
Oversight, data capture, and intelligence are overseen by the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), however Op Avenge is an adopted force priority and therefore is supported at a force-wide level.

Operation Notify

We are very pleased to introduce #OpNotify – an operation designed to crack down on all anti-social behaviour (ASB) whether it be vehicle, drugs, neighbourhood, or youth related.
ASB is an ongoing concern across various parts of Wealden and is something our officers work hard to tackle and deter on a daily basis.
Op Notify is a Wealden initiative that will see dedicated patrols at dedicated times across the district.
During these set patrols, there will be a mobile number available for the public to call us, enabling quick and direct reporting of anti-social behaviour.
So where are we going to be, and when? Keep your eyes peeled to find out which areas we will be covering and when. All updates will be posted on Facebook (Wealden Police), and all subscribers to Sussex Alerts will be emailed, too.

The phone number to call when the operation is running is 07500108147.

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Isaac Wood 42905 - Police Community Support Officer
Isaac.wood@sussex.police.uk

Wealden Neighbourhood Policing Team, Hailsham
Local PCSO for Willingdon, Jevington and Long Man
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Hailsham Police Station, George Street, Hailsham, BN27 1AB
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Children and Young Person Community
Engagement Advisor