Local Crime
Sussex Alerts - Wealden Police
Fatal Five awareness – Willingdon
On Wednesday 8th April, PCSO Tilbury joined officers from the Sussex Police Fatal Five Unit on Hampden Way, Willingdon, for a day of action.
During the operation, officers carried out speed checks and vehicle inspections. Several drivers were spoken to about vehicle defects and advised on the importance of timely repairs.
Are you aware of the main behaviours that can cause serious injuries and fatalities on the roads?
- Speeding
- Drink/drug driving
- Not wearing a seatbelt
- Using mobile phones (Distraction)
- Careless driving
It was wonderful to engage with many local residents, who were pleased to see officers conducting these road safety checks.
This week’s Fatal Five focus – Drink and drug driving
What is drink or drug driving?
Drink or drug driving occurs when a driver operates a vehicle above the legal alcohol limit or under the influence of drugs. Even small amounts can significantly impair reaction times, judgement, and coordination.
While you cannot control other drivers, you can make safe choices:
- Plan ahead – if you’re drinking, arrange a designated driver, taxi, or public transport.
- Be aware – prescription and over-the-counter medications can also affect driving; read labels carefully.
- Stay alert – if you notice erratic driving, maintain a safe distance and report dangerous behaviour.
You can find out more about road safety here: https://orlo.uk/MRP2z
A friendly reminder
Springtime in Sussex brings new-born lambs and calves, so please be mindful when walking near farmland.
Recent changes in the law mean dog owners may face unlimited fines if their dogs chase or distress livestock. Police have enhanced powers to intervene if a dog is causing concern.
Even well-behaved dogs can unintentionally startle animals. Livestock worrying can result in harm, stress, or miscarriage for pregnant animals. Please keep your dog on a lead near livestock and stick to designated footpaths where possible: https://orlo.uk/pxh5h
For more on the legal changes, read here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-law-comes-into-force-to-protect-farm-animals-from-dog-attacks
Keep your home safe this Spring
Following recent burglaries across East Sussex, we remind residents to secure their property.
Our Sussex Police website hosts a library of crime prevention advice, including tips on securing doors, windows, gardens, sheds, garages, and guidance on alarms and lighting.
Protect your home from crime: https://orlo.uk/8Je49
Contact us
- For non-emergency incidents or crime prevention advice: www.sussex.police.uk
- Call 101 for non-urgent issues. In an emergency, always call 999.
- For face-to-face assistance, visit your local police station or contact your local policing team: www.sussex.police.uk/area/your-area
For communication support:
More info on Relay UK: https://www.relayuk.bt.com/how-to-use-relay-uk/contact-999-using-relay-uk.html
Message Sent By
Ria Robertson
(Police, District Engagement Officer, Neighbourhood Policing Team)
Sussex Alerts - Wealden Police
16.01.2026
Arrests
Last week there were a total of 24 arrests made throughout Wealden.
- 2 people were arrested for possession with intent to supply a Class A drug in Uckfield
- 1 person was arrested for possession of a Class A drug in Polegate
- 2 arrests were made for criminal damage in Wadhurst and Hailsham
- 1 arrest was made for burglary in Heathfield
- 3 drivers were arrested in Hailsham and Maresfield:
- 1 for drink driving
- 2 for drug driving
Other offences included assault, robbery, and GBH.
Welcoming new officers
We have welcomed our newest cohort of police officers into the force.
A total of 55 new Police Constables and Detective Constables were attested at a ceremony to take their oath. They were accompanied by friends and family to celebrate this pivotal moment in their policing careers.
One of the new recruits was inspired to join the force after being violently assaulted. He was so impressed by the compassionate and professional response he received from the police officers who were first on scene.
He said:
“This experience was a turning point in my life. I had always wanted to join a uniformed service, but that night when I was assaulted gave me a clear purpose: to join the police and make a positive difference, just as those officers did for me.”
Sussex Police continues to recruit police officers and detectives. Whether you’re seeking a dynamic frontline position or a vital supporting role behind the scenes, we provide countless ways to make a difference.
To find out more about the roles and to apply, visit:
https://orlo.uk/RCr5V
Are you off out this weekend?
Looking forward to enjoying a few drinks? Please be aware of where you leave them.
Spiking is an abhorrent crime and can have a significant, traumatic impact on victims and their feelings of safety.
If you think you’ve been spiked, or see someone trying to spike another person:
- Tell venue staff straight away
- Report it to police — call 101 or report online
- If a crime is in progress, always call 999
Your report matters — it helps keep you and others safe.
Contact us
Non-emergency incidents or crime prevention advice:
Visit: www.sussex.police.uk
(If you report a crime online, it will be assessed in the same way as a 101 call.)
Call 101 when you do not require an urgent response.
Always call 999 in an emergency when life is threatened or there is immediate danger.
You can also speak to us face-to-face at a police station or contact your local policing team at:
www.sussex.police.uk/area/your-area
Accessibility support
If you have a hearing or speech impairment, or other communication difficulties:
- Textphone users can text 18001 101
- BSL users can use SignVideo for a Video Relay Service:
- https://signvideo.co.uk/
In an emergency:
- Textphone users can text 18000 or 999
- BSL users can use 999 BSL:
- https://999bsl.co.uk/
For more information on textphone and Relay UK (including setting up the Relay app), visit:
https://www.relayuk.bt.com/how-to-use-relay-uk/contact-999-using-relay-uk.html
Message sent by:
Ria Robertson
Police, District Engagement Officer
Neighbourhood Policing Team
Sussex Alerts - Wealden Police
Dear Residents,
Wishing you all a very happy and safe New Year 2026.
Get any new toys or gadgets for Christmas?
Be mindful burglars know that many households often have new and often expensive, items in their homes over Christmas.
Post Christmas crime prevention advice:
Avoid becoming an easy target for post-holiday burglars/robbers by not leaving boxes for new electronics and other items outside your wheelie bin.
With computer equipment, you might consider keeping the boxes for safe storage, or moving in the future.
Think about keeping broken-down boxes inside in a garage or loft, or taking them to recycle centres in the New Year.
Register your property on the national property marking database, search Immobilise online.
Arrest summary w/c 22nd December
Last week (22/12-28/12), 23 people were arrested throughout Wealden.
We arrested 3 drivers for being over the alcohol limit in Polegate and Heathfield - 2 of these were on Christmas day!
2 individuals were arrested for criminal damage in Hailsham and Crowborough.
10 people were arrested for assault, one of which was of an emergency worker, in Stone Cross, Pevensey, Wadhurst, Willingdon, Hailsham and Uckfield.
Other offences included burglary, drug driving, and stalking.
We continue to thank, and encourage residents to report incidents to police at the time, online or by calling 101 - in an emergency always call 999.
Domestic abuse - we're here 24/7, 365 to help
Don’t suffer in silence.
If you are suffering from domestic abuse we urge you to call us or speak to an officer.
Please put your trust in us – there is hope after abuse and taking the steps to report it will get you closer to a safer, brighter future.
You can call 101 or 999 in an emergency, if you call 999 but can’t speak, press 55 to get through to the police.
Whilst we often up our campaigns and awareness raising over Christmas and New Year period, remember we are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days per week - we will listen to you, we will take your situation seriously and we will leave you safer than before you called us.
Contact us
For non-emergency incidents or crime prevention advice, click www.sussex.police.uk (If you report a crime online, we will assess it in the same way as a 101 call).
Call 101 when you do not require an urgent response. In an emergency when life is threatened or there is immediate danger always call 999.
Speak to us face-to-face at a police station or contact the local policing team at www.sussex.police.uk/area/your-area.
If you have a hearing or speech impairment, or other forms of communication difficulties.
Those with textphone can text 18001 101, or BSL users can use SignVideo to provide a Video Relay Service (here: https://signvideo.co.uk/), to report crime through a live online interpreter, who will contact the police on your behalf, when you do not require an urgent response.
In an emergency when life is threatened or there is immediate danger please use the textphone service 18000 or text us on 999.
BSL users can call 999 BSL (here: https://999bsl.co.uk/) to use a British Sign Language interpreter.
For more information on textphone and Relay UK, including advice on downloading Apps with video guides please visit: https://www.relayuk.bt.com/how-to-use-relay-uk/contact-999-using-relay-uk.html.
Sussex Alerts - Wealden Police
Arrests
Last week there were a total of 24 arrests across the Wealden district.
We arrested 8 individuals for assault in Hailsham, Heathfield, Willingdon and Crowborough.
5 drivers were arrested in Heathfield, Forest Row, Polegate and Uckfield. 3 for drink driving, 1 for drug driving and 1 for failing to co-operate in a preliminary roadside test.
2 individuals were arrested for theft from another person in Crowborough and Polegate.
Other offenses included stalking, breaking bail conditions, and possession of an offensive weapon.
Framfield Residents Meeting
On the 3rd Nov, PCSO Jackson was joined by several Framfield residents at the Memorial Hall.
We had the chance to discuss local issues and general concerns, as well as provide crime prevention advice - specifically on keeping your home and property safe as the darker nights are drawing in.
Thank you to those that braved the weather to come and see us. We love meeting and engaging with our communities and our presence was appreciated by all.
If you want to stay up to date with your local team, you can find more information on our website here https://orlo.uk/YU3B7
Another day, another scam awareness talk!
Reports of scams still remain high across the district, with billions of pounds being lost to fraud across the UK year on year.
This week, PCSO Choppin and PCSO Jackson have held two events, raising awareness on all things fraud, to keep our communities alert to these crimes.
Anyone can fall victim to fraud, and knowing the signs and what to spot is key.
Our scam awareness talks are designed to empower residents with the knowledge and confidence to protect themselves and their loved ones. From recognising suspicious messages and calls to understanding how scammers operate, these sessions help ensure our communities stay one step ahead.
Our officers work tirelessly to reach as many people as possible, visiting community centres, local groups, and neighbourhood events to offer free, practical advice and support. Every conversation helps build a stronger, safer, and more informed community.
Together, we can help stop scams in their tracks and protect those most at risk.
Protect your bike
Putting your bike away for the winter?
Keep your bike safe this winter, by taking steps to layer your security
- Keep your bike out of sight when not in use.
- Store it in a secure location, consider bolting it down to a ground anchor, or locking your bike to an immovable object with hardened steel chains or a close shackle lock.
- Using a garage? Consider garage door defenders or upgrade your garage door locks.
- Consider installing motion-activated lights, or use shed/garage alarms, where your bike is secured to deter thieves from taking advance of the darker months.
- Having an alarm or tracker on your bike can be a deterrent to thieves, consider an alarm system with tracking, immobilisation, anti-grab or movement sensors.
- Property mark the parts, by marking as much of your bike as possible will make it more difficult for criminals to sell parts on in the event it is stolen.
Marking property can make it less attractive to steal as it is harder to sell on, it will also help police identify parts and return recovered stolen bikes.
Unfortunately security measures can’t guarantee your bike won’t be stolen but, by using multiple security measures, you can make it harder and less attractive for thieves.
Report online or to 101 (non-emergency), and always to 999 in an emergency / crime in action.
