Local News

Attempted robbery appeal Hailsham

We are appealing for witnesses to an attempted robbery in Hailsham. The victim was sat in a parked Asda delivery van when an unknown person approached him and demanded money.

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The suspect fled the scene empty-handed moments later. It happened between 9pm and 9.15pm on Thursday (September 29) in Observatory View.

The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 5’ 8” and wearing a dark hooded jumper and balaclava. Investigating officers are keen to speak to any witnesses or anyone who may have seen any suspicious behaviour, in particular the occupants of a vehicle thought to be driving through the area at the relevant time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact us online or by calling 101 quoting serial 1402 of 29/09.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

ICE (in case of emergency) sticker for cyclists, motorbike owners, and horse riders

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If you are found unconscious, or unable to respond at the scene of an accident, ICE Stickers are a vital tool to help provide medical care, and could help save lives.

Designed to sit at the back of a helmet, the ICE Sticker enables first responders and members of the public to access key medical and personal information as quickly as possible should you be involved in an accident.

Information uploaded by the biker during registration can be accessed by scanning the bespoke QR code, displaying information such as allergies or medication, along with next of kin and contact details.

Get yours online here by completing our contact details form.

Commercial vehicle unit patrols this week

The commercial vehicle unit (CVU) have been out and about across the district this week conducting various vehicle safety checks, including along the Polegate A22 and A27 road network, and the A22 Uckfield.

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A number of vehicles were stopped and dealt with at the time for a range of road related offences including:

3 x overweight loads, with the max being over by 42%, 3 x insecure loads, 1 x disqualified driver, who also held no insurance and 3 x prohibitions issued during the day of action in Polegate

Whilst in Uckfield, he following offences were detected; 1 x dangerous goods offence 7 x prohibitions issued 2 x overweight offences 4 x fixed penalties issued 1 x large arctic that held no tax.

The CVU help provide specialist enforcement, knowledge and investigative capability in respect of commercial vehicle activities, alongside contributing towards improving the safety of all those using the roads in Sussex.

As well as policing compliance and adherence to the wide range of legislation and regulation associated with commercial vehicles, the CVU has an important role in the disruption and investigation of a range of criminality associated with commercial vehicle activity and use.

See or hear anything suspicious on the roads of your district, report it at the time online or to 101. In an emergency/crime in action always call 999.

A warm welcome to our 88 new officers!

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In a historic moment not seen for 70 years, our newest recruits attested and swore their allegiance to His Majesty, King Charles III, earlier this week.

Of the 88 new officers, 71 will be training to be Police Constables and 17 will be training as Detective Constables strengthening both our local policing teams and investigative capabilities.

Meet four of our new recruits Anita, Cristine, Caden and Samuel and read about their motivations for joining here.

Our recruitment for PCs, PCSOs and contact officers is still open, to find the latest vacancies and apply today by clicking here.

Have you heard about the new Safe Space Sussex app?

A new app called ‘Safe Space Sussex’ aimed at helping people if they find themselves feeling unsafe, feeling vulnerable, whilst out and about during the day, evening or night time is now available to download free, search 'Safe Space Sussex' on your Apple App or Google Play stores.

Once downloaded and logged in, users will see a map showing their location and a number of red pins indicating all Safe Spaces near them, such as local shops, pharmacies, supermarkets, pubs and clubs.

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Tapping on a red pin will show opening times and directions from their current location to all venues who are signed up to the app. On arrival at the Safe Space users can identify themselves to staff who will be able to offer them somewhere safe to wait until the Police or a trusted contact can reach them.

Download and share with your friends and family today from your App Store, or by scanning the QR code in the image above.

Burglary Summary

We are again pleased to report that there have been no reported residential burglaries across the Wealden district for the period 2nd- 6th October 2022.

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Burglary Advice

Members of the public and business owners are asked to remain alert to any suspicious activity in their area, and to report any concerns to police online or by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

There are a number of steps residents can take to property their property, including alarm systems and CCTV cameras, for a range of crime prevention advice, support and tips to keep you and your property safe click here.

If you have been the victim of a burglary, please report online, or by calling 101 – always dial 999 in an emergency/burglary in action.

Help us keep Sussex safe

If you saw or heard anything, or have any information about any incident in this message please contact us online, or call 101, quoting the reference number provided.

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

You can also visit our website at www.sussex.police.uk where you can find our easy to use online forms to report all non-emergencies to us.

On our website you can also find police advice to keep you safe and help you understand the law, and also browse our crime prevention pages for first-hand knowledge, industry best practices and practical crime prevention advice from officers and specialist teams all across the police.

Have you ever had a policing question that doesn't actually require direct police involvement to answer?

Ask the Police is a great online source of information for the most frequently asked policing questions, visit www.askthe.police.uk/ for more information.

Your local teams

What's happening in your area?

Get the latest crime statistics and advice, help us with appeals for information and find out what we’re doing to tackle crime in your area online here.

Follow your local Police team on social media, click below:

Facebook

Twitter

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Operation Downsway Nutley

Following concerns from residents around speeding in and around the A22 Nutley, local Neighbourhood Policing Teams conducted speed checks late last week to help deter speeding, and address any community concerns.

Any vehicles recorded exceeding the limit during checks will be reported to Operation Crackdown, notified in due course, or given words of advice at the time.

Checks under Operation Downsway continue into the Autumn months, and are aimed at enforcing and educating drivers around the fatal5 driving offences, so called as they are the top 5 contributors to fatal/serious RTCs on the roads of Sussex each year.

These are:

-excess speed

-distracted driving (inc. use of mobile phone)

-not wearing a seatbelt

-careless/dangerous driving

-drink or drug driving

We encourage local residents to continue reporting fatal5 driving offences to us at the time, all reports help to plan targeted activities in areas that have seen an increase in both offences and reporting.

Thank you to all our Sussex Police Officers, Staff, and Volunteers

We are proud to have played our part in what has been a significant moment in our nation’s history as we said goodbye to our longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.

Over the ten day mourning period we have worked side by side with our colleagues in Surrey Police, Thames Valley Police and Metropolitan Police Service to support this prodigious policing event.

We have supported localised Proclamation ceremonies across Sussex; strengthened our presence at Gatwick airport ensuring the safe arrival of heads of state and lined the route of Her Majesty’s final journey from London to Windsor.

Across Sussex our teams have continued to deliver policing within our communities and met demands during this extraordinary time.

At our headquarters yesterday we paid tribute to Her Majesty with a short service at our flag pole, reflecting on her life and dedication to public service.

We were honoured to carry out one last duty for the Queen Elizabeth II - May she rest in peace.

Enough is enough - UK Government campaign

Knowing what abuse is helps all of us to recognise it when it happens. It can be words or actions.

Online or in person, at home, at work or in the street; anywhere.

If you are worried about your or someone else’s behaviour, it’s not too late to make a change.

This month Officers for your local Neighbourhood Policing Team will be raising awareness of this campaign whilst out on patrol, when visiting victims, and when attending community meetings and events.

Let’s all be part of the change, no-one should live in fear of abuse.

Enough is enough, we can all do our bit to keep women and girls safe, even just by sharing this information with other you are helping to raise awareness.

Find out how you can support, spot the signs of abuse, and help to change for the better online here.

Sussex Police Officer recruitment sessions

Have you ever considered becoming a Police Officer for Sussex Police, or have already thought about it, but have some questions you'd like to ask...why not join one of our virtual recruitment information sessions online?

These sessions are open to anyone who would like more information on how to apply, what qualifications are needed, and the different routes of entry we offer; as well as the chance to ask our recruitment team any other questions you may have about joining as a Police Officer in Sussex.

Join our free online sessions and book your place online here today.

Burglary Summary

Overnight on the 18th September, a pedal cycle was stolen from an insecure shed at a property off Shepards Hill, Hartfield. An unknown individual/s has entered the homeowner’s property as a trespasser to commit offences, no tools were used. (1088 19/09)

There has been no further reports of residential burglaries that occurred between the period 16-22 September 2022.

Burglary Advice

Members of the public and business owners are asked to remain alert to any suspicious activity in their area, and to report any concerns to police online or by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

There are a number of steps residents can take to property their property, including alarm systems and CCTV cameras, for a range of crime prevention advice, support and tips to keep you and your property safe click here.

If you have been the victim of a burglary, please report online, or by calling 101 – always dial 999 in an emergency/burglary in action.

Help us keep Sussex safe

If you saw or heard anything, or have any information about any incident in this message please contact us online, or call 101, quoting the reference number provided.

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

You can also visit our website at www.sussex.police.uk where you can find our easy to use online forms to report all non-emergencies to us.

On our website you can also find police advice to keep you safe and help you understand the law, and also browse our crime prevention pages for first-hand knowledge, industry best practices and practical crime prevention advice from officers and specialist teams all across the police.

Have you ever had a policing question that doesn't actually require direct police involvement to answer?

Ask the Police is a great online source of information for the most frequently asked policing questions, visit www.askthe.police.uk/ for more information.

Your local teams

What's happening in your area?

Get the latest crime statistics and advice, help us with appeals for information and find out what we’re doing to tackle crime in your area online here.

Follow your local Police team on social media, click below:

Facebook

Twitter

You said, we did Maresfield

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Following on from recent community feedback, your Neighbourhood Policing Team were out over the weekend in Maresfield carrying out speed checks and unmarked patrols along the bypass, including evening and night time patrols.

Results from last weekend: On Friday evening 6 vehicles were stopped for excess speed, and anti-social driving. On Saturday one vehicle was issued with a section 59 for anti-social driving.

Our checks across the district will continue in the Autumn months, and we continue to encourage local residents to report excess speed, and ASB driving to us at the time either online or to 101 - in an emergency always call 999.

All reports from communities help us to plan these checks, and conduct checks in areas that have seen an increase in ASB driving and speeding.

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Operation Downsway this week

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In response to concerns from residents around speeding along the A22 Rose Hill area outside of Uckfield, local Neighbourhood Policing Teams conducted speed checks Sunday evening to help deter speeding, and address community concerns.

Officers drove the road from the roundabout all the way to the Isfield turning and parked the vehicle outside the school, checks were conducted in the direction of the Little Horsted Roundabout.

A number of speeding checks were conducted, and we are pleased to report no-one was exceeding the road limits during the course of our checks.

Checks under Operation Downsway are aimed at enforcing and educating drivers around the fatal5 driving offences, do called as they are the top 5 contributors to fatal/serious RTCs on the roads of Sussex each year.

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The fatal5:

-excess speed

-distracted driving (inc. use of mobile phone)

-not wearing a seatbelt

-careless/dangerous driving

-drink or drug driving

We encourage local residents to continue reporting fatal5 driving offences to us at the time, all reports help to plan targeted activities in areas that have seen an increase in both offences and reporting.

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Rural Crime Team (RCT) patrols

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Your Sussex Police Rural Crime Team (RCT) have been out and about this week across the district conducting a series of vehicle stops around Hailsham as part of our ongoing patrols under Operation Downsway.

Whilst a number of vehicles passed checks for insurance, wearing a seatbelt and keeping to the limits, unfortunately for both the owner & driver of this vehicle stopped, they were only provisional licence holders, and as such can expect a summons to Court in the post shortly.

Checks under Operation Downsway (our enforcement and educational patrols around the fatal5 driving offences) continue into the Autumn months - please continue to report fatal5 driving offences to Sussex Police online or to Operation Crackdown, or to 101 at the time.

You can also find and follow our RCT on Twitter.

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ASB patrols

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As we head into another weekend, the safety and welfare of our local communities remains our top priority - already this week a number of patrols have taken place in 'hot-spot' areas to disrupt and tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) across the district; including in both Heathfield and Hailsham.

As well as regular patrols during the week to address ASB in your towns and villages; each Friday and Saturday additional ASB targeting patrols take place across the district, with officers taking to areas that have seen an increase in reports of, and of calls to ASB during the week.

Residents can call the teams between the hours of 1530-2230 on 07770 700642 to report ASB at the time directly to the teams out and about across the district.

Outside of these times, please continue to report online/101 (non-emergencies), and always call 999 in an emergency/crime in action.

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Burglary Summary

A community building off Dittons Road, Stone Cross, was broken into between the 25th and 26th August. Unknown suspects have cut locks to external gates at the address to gain entry, electrical tools were stolen. Unfortunately there is no CCTV. (365 26/08)

A cycle was stolen from a secure shed at a property off Highfield Road, Horam, overnight on the 28th August. Unknown suspects have cut locks of a secure shed at the property to commit offences. (770 31/08)

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Burglary Advice

Members of the public and business owners are asked to remain alert to any suspicious activity in their area, and to report any concerns to police online or by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

There are a number of steps residents can take to property their property, including alarm systems and CCTV cameras, for a range of crime prevention advice, support and tips to keep you and your property safe click here.

If you have been the victim of a burglary, please report online, or by calling 101 – always dial 999 in an emergency/burglary in action.

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Help us keep Sussex safe

If you saw or heard anything, or have any information about any incident in this message please contact us online, or call 101, quoting the reference number provided.

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

You can also visit our website at www.sussex.police.uk where you can find our easy to use online forms to report all non-emergencies to us.

On our website you can also find police advice to keep you safe and help you understand the law, and also browse our crime prevention pages for first-hand knowledge, industry best practices and practical crime prevention advice from officers and specialist teams all across the police.

Have you ever had a policing question that doesn't actually require direct police involvement to answer?

Ask the Police is a great online source of information for the most frequently asked policing questions, visit www.askthe.police.uk/ for more information.

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Your local teams

What's happening in your area?

Get the latest crime statistics and advice, help us with appeals for information and find out what we’re doing to tackle crime in your area online here.

Follow your local Police team on social media, click below:

Facebook

Twitter

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New PCSOs welcomed to Wealden

Last weekend a number of new PCSOs spent time out and about on division shadowing local teams across the district.

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PCSO Dowd, who recently joined, shadowed B Section last weekend, and made patrols to our more rural locations to meet local residents and small business owners to introduce himself, raise awareness of; and offer valuable crime prevention advice and support to rural business communities.

Rural crime tends to fall into one of four categories*,  including, agricultural, equine, wildlife and heritage crime, and can be an issue for large areas of the district, but it can sometimes go unreported.

If you are out and about over the weekend and see or hear something that doesn't seem right; suspicious vehicles around farm properties, unknown individuals in areas they should be, trust your instincts and report it to us at the time.

If you think an offence has or is about to be committed, let us know; if you’re not sure it’s a crime, we’d rather hear from you and determine that ourselves.

*It can also fall under environmental crime, which covers illegal waste dumping, fly tipping, polluting watercourses and land.

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Wanted

Have you seen 25-year-old Jamie Gooch, or do you know where he is?

Gooch, who was released on licence in 2021 after being jailed in 2016 for an aggravated burglary, is wanted on recall to prison. He is known to have links to Hailsham and Eastbourne.

Anyone who sees him or has any information as to his whereabouts is asked to call 999 quoting serial 708 of 25/08.

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to police via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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New PCSOs welcomed to Wealden continued...

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This week new recruit PCSO Dowd has been following up on reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB), and visiting 'hot-spot' areas of ASB; not only to keep an eye on things, but also to meet and speak with local residents and councillors to discuss local issues and look at ways together we can address ASB in your communities.

As well as regular patrols during the week to address ASB in your towns and villages; each Friday and Saturday additional ASB targeting patrols take place across the district, with officers taking to areas that have seen an increase in reports of, and of calls to ASB during the week.

Residents can call the teams between the hours of 1530-2230 on 07770 700642 to report ASB at the time directly to the teams out and about across the district.

Outside of these times, please continue to report online/101 (non-emergencies), and always call 999 in an emergency/crime in action.

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Sussex Street Safe App

Do you know about the Safe Space Sussex app?

A new app called ‘Safe Space Sussex’ aimed at helping people if they find themselves feeling unsafe, feeling vulnerable, whilst out and about during the day, evening or night time is now available to download free from the Apple App and Google Play stores.

Once downloaded and logged in, users will see a map showing their location and a number of red pins indicating all Safe Spaces near them, such as local shops, pharmacies, supermarkets, pubs and clubs.

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Tapping on a red pin will show opening times and directions from their current location to all venues who are signed up to the app.

On arrival at the Safe Space users can identify themselves to staff who will be able to offer them somewhere safe to wait until the Police or a trusted contact can reach them.

Scan the QR code in the image attached to download and share with your friends and family today.

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Happy International Dogs Day to our Sussex and Surrey PDs

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Determined police dogs have been giving a helping paw to their handlers to keep Sussex and Surrey safe.

The Dogs Unit teams working across both counties have achieved a number of successes in recent weeks.

Both forces are sharing examples of the good work done to celebrate International Dog Day, and to demonstrate the vital frontline work being done to catch criminals, keep our communities safe, and deliver an outstanding service to the public.

Read more about their work and meet some of our PDs online here.

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Burglary Summary

We are pleased to report that there have been no residential burglaries report across the Wealden district in the last week.

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Burglary Advice

Members of the public and business owners are asked to remain alert to any suspicious activity in their area, and to report any concerns to police online or by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

There are a number of steps residents can take to property their property, including alarm systems and CCTV cameras, for a range of crime prevention advice, support and tips to keep you and your property safe click here.

If you have been the victim of a burglary, please report online, or by calling 101 – always dial 999 in an emergency/burglary in action.

Help us keep Sussex safe

If you saw or heard anything, or have any information about any incident in this  message please contact us online, or call 101, quoting the reference number provided.

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

You can also visit our website at www.sussex.police.uk where you can find our easy to use online forms to report all non-emergencies to us.

On our website you can also find police advice to keep you safe and help you understand the law, and also browse our crime prevention pages for first-hand knowledge, industry best practices and practical crime prevention advice from officers and specialist teams all across the police.

Have you ever had a policing question that doesn't actually require direct police involvement to answer?

Ask the Police is a great online source of information for the most frequently asked policing questions, visit www.askthe.police.uk/ for more information.

Your local teams