Local News

Operation Scarecrow 2023

Next weekend Officers from your Wealden Neighbourhood Policing Team will be conducting a number of targeted patrols, visits to businesses, and holding meetings across the district to offer reassurance, support and advice, and to raise awareness of both personal and business crime as we head into the Autumn/Winter months.

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Street meetings:

On Saturday 30th September

Crowborough High Street Corner of Croft Road 10:00-12:00

Forest Row Council Offices 14:00-1500

Sunday 1st October

Uckfield Tesco Car Park 10:00-11:00 and Luxford Car Park 11:00-12:00

Maresfield Recreation Ground 13:30-15:00

In addition to street meetings, and visiting businesses in your towns, Officers will be partnering up with our Rural Crime Team to visit as many farms, and rural businesses as we can over the weekend to provide both crime prevention advice and tools to help our rural communities secure and mark their property and help to reduce the risk of burglary over the coming darker months.

Communities can meet local Officers on the dates and times above; if you are unable to make it to see us, remember you can access a library of crime prevention advice and support, as well as report all non-emergency crime on our Sussex Police website.

Always call 999 in an emergency/crime in action, or where there is threat to life and/or property.

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Retired Chief Special Constable donates her story to Sussex Police

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Last month, Beryl reflected on memories from her policing career with Operational Head of the Special Constabulary, Ryan Seibel and Special Sergeant Paul Nash, telling stories and sharing a collection of photos and newspaper cuttings.

Read Beryl's story and see more of the fond memories and collection online here.

Beryl Saunders became a Special Constable in 1968, where after training, Beryl was posted to Hailsham where she stayed throughout her time with Sussex Police.

Quickly seen as a reliable and hardworking member of the constabulary, Beryl was the perfect candidate to lead a team.

She was promoted to Section Officer in 1971, and then again in 1979 when she became Chief of the Special Constabulary for the local area.

This promotion made her responsible for the performance of up to 30 Special Constables, as well as ensuring their training, behaviour and presentation was up to scratch.

Upon her promotion in 1979, Beryl was approached by a local newspaper to celebrate this tremendous achievement, she is quoted as saying: "I wanted to join an organisation where I could do something good for the community. I really enjoy the work".

She goes on to take pride in her new promotion and says: "I think it is an achievement as there are only a few other women who hold the post".

Her accomplishments are also recognised by Hailsham Police Chief at the time, Alf Brett, who says: "It certainly is an achievement".

Thank you Beryl.

Read Beryl's story and see more of the fond memories and collection online here.

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Wealden Police ASB Patrols

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Tonight additional officers will carry out anti-social behaviour patrols in Uckfield (Friday 22nd), and across Hailsham on Saturday (23rd) night.

Operation Blitz sees these officers working in addition to our officers on regular shifts in order to target ASB in areas which have previously seen increases at particular times of the week.

The additional patrols run from 6pm until midnight and you can call and report ASB directly to officers during these times on 07770700642.

Antisocial behaviour is defined as 'behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to persons not of the same household as the person' (Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014).

There are three main categories for antisocial behaviour, depending on how many people are affected:

Personal antisocial behaviour is when a person targets a specific individual or group.

Nuisance antisocial behaviour is when a person causes trouble, annoyance or suffering to a community.

Environmental antisocial behaviour is when a person’s actions affect the wider environment, such as public spaces or buildings

Under these main headings antisocial behaviour falls into one of 13 different types:

• Vehicle abandoned: This covers vehicles that appear to have been left by their owner, rather than stolen and abandoned. It includes scrap or ‘end of life’ vehicles and those damaged at the scene of a road traffic collision that have been abandoned and aren’t awaiting recovery.
• Vehicle nuisance or inappropriate use: This relates to vehicles being used in acts such as street cruising (driving up and down the street causing annoyance and bothering other road users), vehicle convoys and riding or driving on land other than a road. It also covers the misuse of go-peds, motorised skateboards and electric-propelled cycles, and the unlicensed dealing of vehicles where a person has two or more vehicles on the same road within 500 metres of each other.
• Rowdy or inconsiderate behaviour: This refers to general nuisance behaviour in a public place or a place to which the public have access, such as private clubs. It does not include domestic-related behaviour, harassment or public disorder which should be reported as crimes.
• Rowdy or nuisance neighbours: This covers any rowdy behaviour or general nuisance caused by neighbours, including boundary and parking disputes. It also covers noise nuisance from parties or playing loud music.
• Littering or drugs paraphernalia: This includes fly posting and discarding litter, rubbish or drugs paraphernalia in any public place.
• Animal problems: This covers any situation where animals are creating a nuisance or people’s behaviour associated with the use of animals is deemed as antisocial. It includes uncontrolled animals, stray dogs, barking, fouling and intimidation by an animal.
• Trespassing: This is any situation in which people have entered land, water or premises without lawful authority or permission. It ranges from taking an unauthorised shortcut through a garden to setting up unauthorised campsites.
• Nuisance calls: This covers any type of communication by phone that causes anxiety and annoyance, including silent calls and intrusive ‘cold calling’ from businesses. It does not cover indecent, threatening or offensive behaviour which should be reported as crimes.
• Street drinking: This relates to unlicensed drinking in public spaces, where the behaviour of the persons involved is deemed as antisocial. It also covers unplanned and spontaneous parties which encroach on the street.
• Activity relating to sex workers or sex working: This relates to any activity such as loitering, displaying cards or promoting sex worker services. It may also refer to activities in and around a brothel that impact on local residents. It does not include ‘kerb-crawling’ which should be reported as a crime.
• Nuisance noise: This relates to all incidents of noise nuisance that do not involve neighbours (see ‘Nuisance neighbours’ above).
• Begging: This covers anyone begging or asking for charitable donations in a public place, or encouraging a child to do so, without a license. Unlicensed ticket sellers at or near public transport hubs may also fall into this category.
• Misuse of fireworks: This will include the inappropriate use of fireworks, the unlawful sale or possession of fireworks and noise created by fireworks.

Outside of these times given for Op Blitz, please call 101 or report ASB online, and always call 999 in an emergency/crime in action.

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Mayfield disorder appeal

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Police continue to appeal for witnesses after officers responded to a report of disorder at a fun fair event in Mayfield, on Saturday night (16 September).

Nine teenagers were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including committing an assault on an emergency worker,  public order offences and failing to comply with a dispersal order. Three of those arrested were later de-arrested and the other six have now been released on bail with conditions not to return to the area

Police attended the event in King George Field following a request for help from the private security firm who were responsible for safety at the event. As officers sought to make an arrest, they were attacked by a group of young people and had to deploy incapacitant spray to try to defend themselves. One officer sustained a serious cut to the face and received hospital treatment.

Inspector Matt Chapman said: "We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incidents in Mayfield on Saturday night or has any information about those involved.

"A dispersal order was put in place in the area aimed at preventing groups from gathering and committing offences and that remains in place on Sunday (17 September). We will have a continued police presence in the area and the dispersal order will be enforced as necessary."

Any witnesses should report online or ring 101 quoting serial 1172 of 16/09.

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Click, Call & Connect

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 don’t 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.

Wealden Police ASB Patrols

Tonight additional officers will carry out anti-social behaviour patrols in Polegate (Friday 1st), and across Uckfield on Saturday (2nd) night.

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Operation Blitz sees these officers working in addition to our officers on regular shifts in order to target ASB in areas which have previously seen increases at particular times of the week.

The additional patrols run from 6pm until midnight and you can call and report ASB directly to officers during these times on 07770700642.

Antisocial behaviour is defined as 'behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to persons not of the same household as the person' (Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014).

‍

There are three main categories for antisocial behaviour, depending on how many people are affected:

Personal antisocial behaviour is when a person targets a specific individual or group.

Nuisance antisocial behaviour is when a person causes trouble, annoyance or suffering to a community.

Environmental antisocial behaviour is when a person’s actions affect the wider environment, such as public spaces or buildings.

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Under these main headings antisocial behaviour falls into one of 13 different types:

• Vehicle abandoned: This covers vehicles that appear to have been left by their owner, rather than stolen and abandoned. It includes scrap or ‘end of life’ vehicles and those damaged at the scene of a road traffic collision that have been abandoned and aren’t awaiting recovery.
• Vehicle nuisance or inappropriate use: This relates to vehicles being used in acts such as street cruising (driving up and down the street causing annoyance and bothering other road users), vehicle convoys and riding or driving on land other than a road. It also covers the misuse of go-peds, motorised skateboards and electric-propelled cycles, and the unlicensed dealing of vehicles where a person has two or more vehicles on the same road within 500 metres of each other.
• Rowdy or inconsiderate behaviour: This refers to general nuisance behaviour in a public place or a place to which the public have access, such as private clubs. It does not include domestic-related behaviour, harassment or public disorder which should be reported as crimes.
• Rowdy or nuisance neighbours: This covers any rowdy behaviour or general nuisance caused by neighbours, including boundary and parking disputes. It also covers noise nuisance from parties or playing loud music.
• Littering or drugs paraphernalia: This includes fly posting and discarding litter, rubbish or drugs paraphernalia in any public place.
• Animal problems: This covers any situation where animals are creating a nuisance or people’s behaviour associated with the use of animals is deemed as antisocial. It includes uncontrolled animals, stray dogs, barking, fouling and intimidation by an animal.
• Trespassing: This is any situation in which people have entered land, water or premises without lawful authority or permission. It ranges from taking an unauthorised shortcut through a garden to setting up unauthorised campsites.
• Nuisance calls: This covers any type of communication by phone that causes anxiety and annoyance, including silent calls and intrusive ‘cold calling’ from businesses. It does not cover indecent, threatening or offensive behaviour which should be reported as crimes.
• Street drinking: This relates to unlicensed drinking in public spaces, where the behaviour of the persons involved is deemed as antisocial. It also covers unplanned and spontaneous parties which encroach on the street.
• Activity relating to sex workers or sex working: This relates to any activity such as loitering, displaying cards or promoting sex worker services. It may also refer to activities in and around a brothel that impact on local residents. It does not include ‘kerb-crawling’ which should be reported as a crime.
• Nuisance noise: This relates to all incidents of noise nuisance that do not involve neighbours (see ‘Nuisance neighbours’ above).
• Begging: This covers anyone begging or asking for charitable donations in a public place, or encouraging a child to do so, without a license. Unlicensed ticket sellers at or near public transport hubs may also fall into this category.
• Misuse of fireworks: This will include the inappropriate use of fireworks, the unlawful sale or possession of fireworks and noise created by fireworks.

Outside of these times given for Op Blitz, please call 101 or report ASB online, and always call 999 in an emergency/crime in action.

Dear Residents,

Each month we see many incidents of fraudsters targeting our residents in an attempt to defraud them, we continue to work hard to prevent this and support vulnerable victims of fraud or scams.

By following our tips and encouraging family, friends and colleagues to do so too, you can reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

Please find attached to this alert, the latest Sussex and Surrey Police Fraud Newsletter July 2023.

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Click, Call & Connect

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 don’t 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.

Sussex Police launch Operation Valley

Sussex Police operation aimed at tackling knife crime and serious violence in the summer months launches this week (Thursday 20 July).

Operation Valley will support the ongoing work of Operation Safety, the force’s dedicated response to serious violence, over a six-week period from July 20 to August 26.

Across Sussex, both uniformed and plain-clothed officers will deploy to identified hotspot areas at the peak demand and high-risk times: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of each week, between 2pm and 10pm.

It is an intelligence-led operation, and these areas will change each week dependent on recent incidents, developments in investigations, and the analytical input of the Op Safety team.

Chief Inspector Simon Yates, the force’s lead for knife crime and serious violence, said: “Reducing serious violence is a police priority and we are continually working to tackle this. Knife crime has tragic consequences and leaves a devastating impact in its wake, affecting victims, loved ones, and whole communities.

We are committed to removing dangerous perpetrators and weapons from our streets, to keep our county a safe place to live, work, and visit.”

The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows that Sussex recorded 55 knife offences per 100,000 population in the year ending December 2022; the national average stands at 85 per 100,000, based on the 39 forces who use this recording method.

He added: “Op Valley is an opportunity to target areas where we see spikes in criminality throughout the summer. Officers will carry out high-visibility and plain-clothed patrols, execute warrants, and use knife arches to disrupt and prosecute offenders. We will also carry out intelligence-led stop and search where people are suspected of being involved in violent crime.

“As well as enforcement action, we continue to engage with communities and work closely with partner agencies to offer diversion schemes and signposting to support services. If you have any concerns, contact us so that we can offer this support.”

Various engagement and diversion activities will take place across Sussex during Op Valley. Albion in the Community are offering a free football programme at the Eastbourne Sports Park, partly funded by Op Safety: from 1-24 August, young people aged 11+ can just turn up on any Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from 12midday.

We also continue to work closely with young people and partners to identify the underlying reasons why a person may carry a knife, and to raise awareness of the consequences of doing so.

Young people can receive and report information around knife crime anonymously via Fearless.org.

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “Whilst Sussex Police diligently tackles knife-crime and serious violence all year-round, the dedicated six-week period of Operation Valley provides a sharp, intelligence-led focus for officers as they continue to make our streets safer.

“We know that the summer season means more people are out and about and we want them to be able to enjoy the weather and all the exciting spaces our county has to offer free from fear or harm. Having this operation in specific areas sends a clear and direct message to criminals that Sussex has a zero tolerance approach to knife crime and serious violence.”

Members of the public are encouraged to report information to police either online or by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency. Information can be reported anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Childline on 0800 1111.

Summer half term advice for parents/carers

With the summer holidays fast approaching it is likely your child will be spending more time online as they enjoy a break from school.
Now is a good time to talk to them about staying safe online and to make sure that you are regularly checking in with them about their online activity.

To help protect children while they're online, follow these steps:

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-Encourage them to talk to you about how they use the internet and show you what they do - make sure they know they can come to you for advice

-Have an agreement in place and set boundaries for their internet use, such as when and where they can use their devices and for how long

-Check age ratings that come with games, apps, films and social networks to confirm whether they’re suitable

-Activate parental controls on your home network and all devices including mobile phones and game consoles
-Safe settings can also be activated on sites such as Google, YouTube and iPlayer

-Get to grips with the blocking and report functions on any gaming sites and make sure they know how to use them too

-Make sure they're aware of the risks of sharing images online and that you both know how to remove content should you need to
For more information at links to other organisations promoting online safety click here.

Half term activities with ESFRS

Four hours of fun at a fire station - including crafts, games, team-building activities & food! Find out more and get involved with your local fire safety teams.

Happening at Uckfield, Crowborough and Hailsham Community Fire Stations.

Click here for venues, dates and to book your child's place. (Free for families who receive benefits-related free school meals. DfE Funded.)

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Operation Blitz - ASB targeting patrols this weekend

Tonight additional officers will carry out anti-social behaviour patrols in Crowborough (Friday 21st), and across Heathfield on Saturday (22nd) night.
Operation Blitz sees these officers working in addition to our officers on regular shifts in order to target ASB in areas which have previously seen increases at particular times of the week.
The additional patrols run from 6pm until midnight and you can call the officers during these times to directly report any ASB on 07770700642.
Outside of these times, please call 101 or report ASB online.

PCSO recruitment

Further PCSO recruitment webinars taking place.
We are currently recruiting for Police Community Support Officers to join us here in Sussex, so if you are intrigued by the role or know someone who might be, sign up to our webinar to find out more.
Starting at 6.30pm on Wednesday 19 July, you'll be able to ask our recruitment experts any questions you may have or simply listen and learn more about the role.
We look forward to seeing you!

Dates, and to book your place today, please click here.

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Click, Call & Connect

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 don’t 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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Message Sent By

‍Sussex Police(Eastbourne, Lewes and Wealden, Sussex Police District Engagement Officer, Eastbourne Police Hammonds Drive)