Local News

August 2021

Seasonal Overview – The Bigger Picture‍

As we move into harvest season, it is an extremely busy time in the countryside.  Farmers across Sussex are working long hours and there will be an increase of tractors and other farm vehicles on the roads.  Respect for and awareness of other road users is all the more important at this time.

We always ask motorists to take care on country lanes, especially when approaching bends.

Be patient when following farm vehicles on main roads. That sudden impulse to overtake could result in a serious collision.

That slow moving tractor briefly delaying our journey is a critical part of the process in putting food in our supermarkets and restaurants. We also ask tractor drivers to stay mindful of the risks too and pull over periodically when safe to do so, allowing other motorists to pass.

Rural Crime Team officers have been speaking with many landowners over this last month and the topic of dog fouling on farm land raises much more than an unpleasant odour.  If it isn’t bagged and binned then the waste can end up in a hay bale destined to feed dairy cattle.

That could mean ruined livestock feed and potentially harmful bacteria making cattle ill.

The National Farmers Union have produced some excellent weather proof signs available to farmers across Sussex, highlighting the importance of proper dog control and clearing up waste.

Rural Crime Team Overview‍

Following Inspector Fisher’s introduction last month, setting out the vision for the Rural Crime Team, we have been pressing forward with new processes and activities to maximise our intelligence gathering and operational practices. Our work with other policing teams across Sussex, combined with partnerships with the Environment Agency and other enforcement teams means that collectively our impact on those offending in rural areas will be greater than ever.

The recruitment of four new police officers to the team, who will be joining us soon, will really help increase our reach across Sussex and our impact on organised crime groups whose selfish actions affect the lives and businesses of so many people.‍

Poaching Court Result‍

Two poachers caught on the Cuckoo Trail near Hailsham, East Sussex in November last year appeared in court in July.  They were charged with using ferrets and nets to catch rabbits.

Both received six month conditional discharge, and were ordered to pay fines and costs.

We received a number of comments on social media about the court outcome.  It is worth noting that the police interaction with the offenders and seizing their nets at the time plays a part in disrupting their activity, so the court result is just one part of the process.‍

Fisheries Enforcement‍

Members of the Rural Crime Team attended a fisheries enforcement day with colleagues from the Kent Police Rural Task Force at Hadlow Down College. The day was arranged and presented by the Environment Agency, providing a valuable insight in to fishing techniques and the offences they deal with. Officers were given ‘hands on’ training with fishing gear and the information learned on the day will be shared with the rest of the team.

The Rural Crime Team already carry out joint patrols with Environment Agency officers and PCSO Steve Skerman has been very proactive in this area, supporting enforcement actions and developing our working relationship.‍

Mass Trespass‍

The Rural Crime Team patrolled farmland on the South Downs near Brighton in July due to a mass trespass incident, involving more than 300 people. Rights of way and access to land across the UK is a hotly debated subject that continues to evolve. With our unique understanding of rural affairs, our crews deployed in 4x4s to engage with protest members and local farmers to ensure the protest concluded responsibly and peacefully, with minimal disruption to the farming community, livestock and environment.‍

Puppies Seized in Eastbourne‍

Along with our local neighbourhood officers, the Rural Crime Team responded to reports of dogs being held in a caravan in Eastbourne.

With the support of the RSPCA, 35 puppies were seized and two individuals were arrested for animal welfare act offences and money laundering. Enquiries continue, with the Rural Crime Team leading the investigation.‍

Animal Welfare Act‍

A man who was filmed hitting a dog in Brighton has been investigated by the Rural Crime Team. During the investigation the man admitted the offence and has agreed to attend dog training classes and received an official police caution.‍

Illegal Rave‍

As previously reported, an illegal rave which took place on the South Downs near Steyning caused significant disturbance and damage to farmers’ and landowners’ property.

Officers from the Rural Crime Team continue to work with detectives investigating the incident, which saw not only gates and fences damaged, but significant damage to chalk grassland habitats and higher level stewardship biodiversity land. During the illegal rave livestock were chased by partygoers and one calf had to be rescued from a pond by farmers before it drowned. This is an ongoing and complex investigation.‍

Stolen Digger‍

A recently stolen digger was found by the Rural Crime Team following information that the tracking device had activated in the Horsham area. The digger, which had been stolen from Surrey, was recovered along with other stolen items. The investigation is ongoing.

We continue to urge owners of plant and machinery to take sensible precautions such as trackers. Tracking devices greatly improve the prospects of recovering the machinery and act as a fantastic deterrent against further thefts from farms. Let’s make Sussex farms an inhospitable place for thieves.‍

Livestock Worrying‍

A small holding in the Billingshurst area lost all seven of their lambs to a dog attack in late July. The lambs which were out in the field were discovered dead by the farmer with wounds caused by a dog. Enquiries are ongoing. Incidents like this have a significant impact on livestock, farmers and their families.

We ask that dog owners stay vigilant to the possibility that livestock are not always immediately obvious when entering large or irregular shaped fields, and keep their dogs under close control. Owners may think it’s safe to let their dog off the lead, but it only takes a few seconds for a dog to spot and chase previously unnoticed livestock.

We know that the majority of dog owners are responsible, nevertheless we see regular instances of dog attacks on livestock, which is distressing for all concerned.  We have and will continue to take robust action against owners of dogs out of control.

Please take reasonable steps to prevent your dog from putting itself in a very dangerous and costly position.‍

Swans Shot‍

The Rural Crime Team are investigating a report of two swan signets that were hit repeatedly with metal ball bearings in the Southwater Country Park. One of the young birds died and the other is with a specialist swan vet however the outlook is sadly bleak.

The ball bearings are believed to have been fired from a catapult in a callous act against the defenceless birds.

I have been with Sussex Police for the past two and a bit years now, working on the neighbourhood policing team (NPT), at Hailsham as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO). Across July I have been meeting with key contacts within the communities of Willingdon, Jevington and Longman areas.

NPT have had a re structure of our work recently, meaning that each Parish area has a ‘named’ PCSO. We still deal with different reports across the whole of Wealden, however the area PCSO will be responsible for linking in with council members and schools within their specified area.

I am lucky enough to have been allocated the quaint and picturesque areas as mentioned above and have already spent a good amount of time getting to know these areas better. Sergeant Hover (new to the NPT role), PCSO McCallum (who has the areas of East Dean, Friston and Cuckmere Valley) attended some meetings alongside myself. I have already met with both schools and met with some of the pupils. I have also linked in with the neighbourhood watch and community speed watch members of Willingdon and Jevington, as well as the Clerks for all areas. Overall, crime is low for all areas. During our Operation Blitz (ASB targeted patrols Friday and Saturday between 18:00-00:00) we received 0 reports for the area, which is great news. Over the coming month I will to continue with my community engagement and get to know some more of my community stakeholders.

-PCSO Joseph.

Dear residents,

Please find attached to this alert the latest Wealden Police Community Newsletter, encompassing the months of March to June.

This latest newsletter includes a snapshot of the most recent activities across the Wealden district, including patrol updates, patrol results, crime data, crime prevention advice, updates from your Wealden Neighbourhood Policing senior officers and more...

Local businesses, or community hubs, please feel free to print copies for your shops/venues, the newsletter is also embedded with hyperlinks so that it can be read and shared digitally.

Thank you - Wealden Neighbourhood Policing Team 2021

Action Fraud scam watch

Did you know scams cost the UK economy £5-£10 Billion a year, with over 50% of people over 65 having already been targeted by scams; and only 5% of all scams reported?

Action Fraud’s top tips

Although fraud and cybercrime comes in many forms, there are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself.

Follow Action Frauds’ personal safety checklist to keep you and those around you safe from fraud, including the latest advice around remaining vigilant against ticket/concert fraud, as lockdown restrictions begin to ease here.

Help us keep Sussex safe

If you saw or heard anything, or have any information about any incident in this message or the attached newsletter, please contact us online, or call 101.

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.

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

You can find now find details of your local PCSO and your local Neighbourhood Policing Teams here.

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We are pleased to share with you our June newsletter – click here to view it or download it below.

Neighbourhood Watch Week (5th – 11th June) is almost upon us and with so many online and face-to-face ways to LISTEN. TALK. DO! with your community - how will you be joining in? Will you have having a Covid-19 safe Big Lunch? Will you be booking onto a crime prevention webinar? Find out more in the newsletter and drop a quick email to enquiries@ourwatch.org.uk to let us know what you have planned!

Thank you to everyone who shared our PROTECT YOUR POOCH campaign – to watch the very informative recorded webinar follow the link in the  newsletter.

For anyone who has a spare few minutes please take a moment to complete our Insights Survey (details below) and share the below with all you contacts – whether they are Neighbourhood Watch supporters or not. All the feedback we receive is so valuable to us.‍

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH ANNUAL INSIGHTS SURVEY - CLOSING SOON‍

A key part of our strategy is to promote the perception of Neighbourhood Watch as “neighbours watching out for each other, building safer and more inclusive communities”. To do this effectively, we need to better understand the current public perception of Neighbourhood Watch by members and non-members alike.

Please take a moment to complete our survey and share this link https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FPPJ22X with your friends and colleagues - even those who are not Neighbourhood Watch members so we can obtain as broad a range of views from as diverse a range of people as possible.