Local News

Speed checks in Wannock and Polegate

This week PCs and PCSOs from your Wealden Neighbourhood Policing Teams have been out across various locations on the district, including Wannock and Polegate, conducting vehicle safety checks, and conducting speed checks in areas which have seen a high rate of reporting.

During the week, officers have recorded a number of vehicles exceeding the limit in the locations monitored, drivers who were stopped will either be reported to our Operation Crackdown department, or will have been given words of advice at the roadside.

You are the eyes and ears of your communities, if speeding is an issue in your area please report it to us, all reports help to direct our patrols where we are needed the most and can take appropriate action to respond to your concerns.

You can report it to us online, or to our Operation Crackdown Team by searching 'Operation Crackdown Sussex' online. We will continue to conduct these checks, along with partners and volunteers from Community Speedwatch groups, to enforce and to educate drivers, and help to reduce the numbers of those killed or seriously injured across the Wealden District.

Rural Crime prevention advice and patrols

Whilst on patrol in your neigh-bourhood, officers for Wannock visited a small holding looking after animals, to share valuable crime prevention advice and tips to help protect their property.

Animal/farm owners crime prevention advice and tips:

•Check your livestock and the security of boundary fencing regularly - If they're making more noise than usual this could mean something has disturbed them.

•Make regular checks of the fields where animals are kept to check that fences haven’t been breached and that no one else is in the field with them

•Use ear tags, horn brands, freeze marking or tattooing to make your animals more easily identifiable

•Keep your hedges, fences and gates in good repair: field gate hinges should have capping hinges so they can't be removed easily; cattle grids should be removable and locked out of position when they're not in use; use locking posts to obstruct large openings to yards

Rural crime is an issue for large areas of the country, but it tends to go unreported. It can impact on insurance premiums, food prices and damage local communities.

It can be hard to know whether something is a crime and whether to contact the police or another charity or organisation. If you're unsure a crime is classed as a rural crime, please let us know, we’d rather hear from you and determine that ourselves.

Arrests this week

As we head into the weekend, the safety and welfare of our local communities remains our top priority.

A number of arrests have already been made this week across the Wealden districts, for various offences including, ABH, drink driving, drug driving, stalking and drug possession.

If you see or hear anything we need to know about over the weekend, let us know..

If your call is not urgent and can be reported through our 101 or website services, we ask you to do so in order to release the pressure on our emergency lines and resources - our online services offer you the option to self-report, which will be then be prioritised and actioned. All emergencies, crime in action, or where there is a threat to life, always call 999.

Police crack down on catalytic converter thefts during week of action

Police in Sussex carried out a week of action focusing on the theft of catalytic converters.
Catalytic converters are stolen for the precious metals they contain. These metals have surged in value recently, leading to more offences committed by organised crime networks.

Sussex Police took part in a national week of action, from April 19 – 25, with a focus on awareness, education, enforcement and intelligence gathering.

Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Teams carried out 21 visits to scrap metal dealers to identify and develop information on who is buying and selling the parts, and to check everyone was operating with the appropriate licences. They also visited seven catalytic converter buyers, paid four visits to vehicle dismantlers and stopped 15 mobile collectors.

A number of scrap metal dealers also signed up to a database used by police and partners to gather and share intelligence around catalytic converter thefts.

Two stolen catalytic converters were recovered during the week, as well as a van full of scrap metal.

Three people were also arrested - one man on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle and fraud by false representation; and one man on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle. They have both been released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.

A third man was arrested on suspicion of attempted theft from a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, driving without insurance, failing to stop, and possession of a Class A drug. He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

A fourth man attended a voluntary police interview in relation to five counts of theft from a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, driving with no insurance and failing to stop. He has also been released under investigation.

During the week, 250 car owners also took advantage of free catalytic converter property marking carried out in partnership by garages and police across the county.

Catalytic converters can be forensically marked using special liquids with a unique code detectable under a UV light. This can make it harder for thieves to dispose of stolen catalytic converters, and can lead to the detection of crime and reunite people with their property.

Detective Chief Inspector Jo Grantham said: “Thefts of catalytic converters can not only have a serious financial impact on victims, but also an emotional impact as it can affect their day-to-day activity and livelihoods.

“This is an issue we take extremely seriously and this week of action is just a snapshot of the work we do to try and tackle the problem.

“We continue to gather information around thefts, and encourage people to report any offences or suspicious behaviour to us to help us build that intelligence.

“We also ask people to take a look at the advice and consider steps they can take to protect their vehicles.”

Police are encouraging car owners to:

• Protect your car by asking your dealer if they can give you any advice on locks or guards that are approved by the vehicle manufacturer and tested to Sold Secure Gold.
• Mark your catalytic converter with a forensic marker and register your converter to make it harder for thieves to dispose of.
• Park your car somewhere well-lit and overlooked, among as many cars as possible. Try to park so the converter can't be easily reached - close to a wall or fence. Try not to park at the end of the row if there are free spaces.

To report a crime or any suspicious activity, please contact us online or by calling 101. Alternatively, information can be passed to police anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111.

Burglary Summary

A business address off Downash Road, Hailsham reported a burglary overnight on the 6th May. The property was accessed and a shipping container containing various tools was broken into by force. Various power tools were stolen. (441 of 07/05 relates)

An attempted burglary was reported on the 7th May at a property off Rotherfield Lane, Mayfield. Unknown suspects have gained entry to the grounds and an attempt to steal a quadbike was made, fortunately nothing was stolen. (657 of 07/05 relates)

A burglary was reported overnight on the 7th May at a property off Coggins Mill Lane, Mayfield. Unknown suspects have smashed rear windows of the property to gain entry. Personal items including jewellery was targeted. Scenes of crime officers have been called to the location. (471 of 08/05 relates)

A male was seen taking items, and attempting to enter neighbouring properties off Bell Lane, Flectching around 2pm on the 9th May. Once confronted the male made off, he was described as a white male - medium build - 5ft 11 - ginger curly hair - green tracksuit with black gilet over the top. CCTV has been passed to the police for investigations. (637 of 09/05 relates)

An attempted burglary was reported at a property off Upper Horsebridge, Hailsham on the 11th May. Rear windows to the property have been found smashed, although no entry has been gained. (0952 of 11/05 relates)

We continue to encourage residents to please report suspicious activity, your reports help to build a picture of local crime in your area, and allow us to direct our patrols to areas most affected.

We would also encourage business owners to review their current security measures, check for insecurities, any locks or bolts damaged following the wet weather?

For a range of crime prevention advice, support and tips to keep you and your property safe can be found 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.

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 here.

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.

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.

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

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We have been contacted by a resident of Seven Sisters road who’s home was recently targeted by a gang of youths who pelted eggs at their windows the resident does not know the youths  and has no idea  why they were targeted. Our advice to all residents is be vigilant at all times, and if you ever see anything suspicious always contact the Police ASAP.

Hi, I had this ‘company’ (two dishevelled men between 30 and 40 years old) come to my home in a white pick up truck offering services of cleaning the driveway etc. They said that the neighbour had agreed to have the work done and that they wanted to do mine as it would look odd as it is a shared driveway. When I spoke to my neighbour it turned out they told her the same thing. I told him to sling his hook as he got more and more into a ‘spiders web of lies’, and I am a strong woman who knows when someone is pretending to be something they are not. However, I am writing to you with this information for fear of some of the other residents who may be a) vulnerable, b) elderly c) lonely or d) trusting. This describes our entire close so I am sure other locals are similar. Please can you circulate this information and tell whoever you tell to make them aware of these two men. One is quite young, the driver, and has an English, indistinct accent and the other is older, maybe in his forties and has an Irish accent.

I hope no one was ‘conned’ by them as it was going to cost over £200!

Thank you

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PCSOs Lewis and Davidson took to their bikes this week to conduct a high visibility cycle patrol from Hailsham, down through to Polegate and Willingdon making stops on the way to locations that have seen an increase in crime and anti social behaviour. Areas that were checked, were Polegate station, High Street, and into Park Croft and onto Willingdon, where Tott Yew recreation ground has seen reports of littering and ASB in recent weeks.