Local Crime

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13/09/2024

Arrests

Another busy week last week for officers in Wealden, making a total of 15 arrests across the district.

We arrested 7 individuals who were all caught for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and an additional driver for driving dangerously. These drivers were caught across Polegate, Heathfield, Uckfield, Hailsham and Stone Cross.

A further 4 arrests were made for assault in Pevensey, Jarvis Brook, Polegate and Uckfield.

Other offences included criminal damage and robbery.

If you know of anything that needs reporting, please get in touch by phoning us on 101 or by making a report online.

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On Friday 6th, officers attended an incident involving a motor vehicle who failed to stop for traffic.

Our blue light pursuit ended with the driver decamping the vehicle at a roundabout along the Hailsham bypass, with the male driver running to hide in the woodland nearby.

We successfully got one male into custody for driving whilst disqualified, driving with no insurance, failure to stop and also for failing a road-side drug wipe.

With assistance from RPU (Roads Policing Unit), SEU (Specialist Enforcement Unit) and police dogs - that is one more dangerous driver off our roads!

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Motorcycle Thefts

Can you help us tackle motorcycle thefts?

While recent figures show our work is getting positive results, our actions and determination to catch offenders continues.

We are urging the public to report any information that relates to the theft of motorcycles across East Sussex, to help us with our investigations.

Did you know that you can give information anonymously via CrimeStoppers?

CrimeStoppers are a charity that give people the power to speak up, and stop crime. All reports are completely anonymous and play a huge part in keeping our communities safe.

To make an anonymous report, click here > http://spkl.io/6185f8r47

You can also contact Sussex Police online or by phoning us on 101 – quoting Operation Portman

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Protect your pension

Releasing funds early and time-pressure offers are some of the telltale signs of pension fraud.

Be on the lookout for these warning signs.

- A guaranteed better return on your savings.

- Pressure to invest.

- Downplayed risk of losing your money.

We urge you to read more on Pension Fraud here > #ProtectYourPension: Action Fraud warns to look out for pension fraudsters as new data reveals a total loss of £17.7 million in 2023 | Action Fraud

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VAWG day of action, take #2!

We'd like to invite you to another VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) day of action - this time, covering the south of Wealden.

PCSO Choppin and PCSO Jackson will be out and about again, in our Sussex Police engagement van, to talk all things VAWG with our communities.

Here's where you can find us on the 18th September...

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Heathfield

10:30 - 11:30

Co-Op Car Park

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Hailsham

12:00 - 13:00

Hailsham High Street

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Polegate

14:15 - 15:15

Polegate Train Station

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Our last day of action saw us helping and supporting many of you, so please do pop down! We look forward to seeing you.

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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.

Connect with us face-to-face at a police station or contact the local policing team at www.sussex.police.uk/area/your-area. 

If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired, you can contact us using TypeTalk on 18000 or by sending a text to 65999.

Teenager arrested on suspicion of murder after Hailsham stabbing

Police have arrested a man on suspicion of murder following a stabbing in Hailsham on Thursday (29 August).

Emergency services were called to the Vicarage Field area at around 6.20pm to reports of a man having suffered a serious injury to his chest.

A man in his 20s was treated by paramedics, but was sadly confirmed deceased at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.

Initial enquiries identified a suspect, who was located a property in Hailsham.

A 17-year-old local boy was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody at this time.

Chief Inspector James Scott said: “This is a tragic incident which I know will be distressing for the community.

“Our thoughts are with the family of this young man as we seek to understand exactly what happened this evening.

“The significant police presence will remain in the area, as part of the investigation and to offer reassurance. If you have any concerns, please do speak to an officer.

“We are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that could help to contact police online or via 101, quoting Operation Par.”

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❗ OP NOTIFY ❗

This week, our Op Notify patrols are as followed:

📆 Thursday 8th August 📍 South Wealden 🕒 15:00-23:00.

📆 Friday 9th August 📍 South Wealden 🕒 15:00-23:00

To report anti-social behaviour during these times, please call us directly on 07500108147.

These patrols are dedicated to preventing and deterring anti-social behaviour (ASB) across the district, and are focused where demand is high.

Whilst our Op Notify patrols this week are dedicated to the South of the district, we still encourage you to call us should ASB occur elsewhere.

Always call 999 in an emergency ☎️

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28/06/2024

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Arrests

Last week saw a total of 22 arrests made across the district, for a variety of offences.

- Officers made 7 separate arrests for common assault in Crowborough, Polegate, Uckfield, Hellingly, Hailsham and Heathfield.

- 5 arrests were made for criminal damage in Hailsham, Pevensey, Uckfield and Crowborough.

- We arrested 2 drivers in Uckfield - one for driving whilst over the drink limit, and one for driving whilst over the drug limit.

Other offences throughout the week included handling stolen goods, failing to appear at court and theft of a motor vehicle.

On top of this, we also arrested a prolific shoplifter, who was regularly offending in areas of South Wealden and Eastbourne.

Your policing teams in Wealden are consistently working hard around the clock, responding to reports received by the public in order to keep our communities safe.

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Charged

We have charged a former housemaster at Tylehurst School in Forest Row with sex offences against children in the 1970s.

The offender faces 15 charges relating to incidents alleged to have taken place between 1977 and 1979.

The school has since closed.

This is an open investigation, so please refrain from speculation in the comments. But if you have any information relating to this case, please report it to us, quoting serial 472 of 23/09.

More details can be found here  Man charged with non-recent sexual offences at East Sussex school | Sussex Police‍

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Tribute

Tributes have been paid to an “adored dad, son, brother and partner” who tragically died in a collision in Hailsham.

Officers were called to the incident involving a motorbike on the A22, Hailsham Road shortly after 5am on Saturday, 15 June.

Sadly, the motorcyclist, 34-year-old Adam Standen from Hailsham, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Adam's family has released the following tribute, click here Tributes paid to motorcyclist following Hailsham collision | Sussex Police

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Road safety reminder

We have seen numerous road traffic accidents across the district, with the majority involving motorcycles. With the weather being warmer, we urge all road users to take extra precaution when out and about.

As a road user, you are responsible for keeping yourself safe and those around you too. Stay alert, so that everyone stays alive.

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Local engagement

PCSO Thompson and PC Solla attended a road closure for a road traffic collision earlier this week. Whilst there, they came across a young person on a bike who couldn’t get home. Officers worked quickly to organise a safe return home by getting in touch with their family to arrange a lift. There was only one problem - they were unable to take the bike with them! Luckily, with more quick thinking, we offered to keep the bike safe in our own car, and return it once stood down from the road closure. It was a rewarding end to our shift returning the bike safe and sound, and we were pleased to have been there to help!

Hundreds gathered at the weekend (Saturday 22nd) for Hailsham's first 'Stand Proud' event!

The sun was shining and there was a cheerful atmosphere from start to finish. It was great to be able to get involved in such a fun and successful event. We were able to engage with so many people throughout the community, providing support and offering advice on all sorts of topics - and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves whilst doing so!

This month we have taken part in the Safety In Action annual event run by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. Over the course of three days, we engaged with 510 children from 22 local schools across East Sussex, equipping them with the knowledge and understanding of how to keep themselves safer in a range of different scenarios.The feedback received from a Year 6 teacher at Buxted school summarised the event perfectly:

"I think it is a fabulous event and so very worthwhile. An awful lot of information is taken in by the children in a fun and interactive way and they really enjoy it as well as learn from it. Some really useful life skills and knowledge that will help them keep safe. I think it is perfectly pitched for the age group. Thanks very much and I hope it can continue on for many more years.”

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.

Connect with us face-to-face at a police station or contact the local policing team at www.sussex.police.uk/area/your-area. 

If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired, you can contact us using TypeTalk on 18000 or by sending a text to 65999.

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