Local News

This week we launched our autumn burglary campaign, sharing crime prevention advice on how to protect your homes and outbuildings as we approach the clocks going back this weekend.

With longer nights drawing in, we want residents to think about the hidden security risks around their homes, and make it more difficult for opportunist burglary.

Sussex remains a safe place to live and work. Our burglary solved rate has increased over the last few months and we continue to concentrate our efforts to catch criminals and protect our communities from this crime type.

Sussex Police is committed to reducing burglary in Sussex and catch those response. Recently, officers stopped a cloned white Citroen van on suspicion of being linked to multiple burglaries across Sussex. Officers found number of stolen tools, power tools and assorted gardening equipment. Two men were subsequently arrested.

Chief Inspector Alasdair Henry, said: “Having your property burgled can be one of the most upsetting and destructive crimes to occur and we are committed to do all we can to reduce this crime and catch those responsible.

“Sussex is a safe county and suffers from relatively low levels of burglary and we intend to work to continue to make our county an inhospitable place for burglars to operate.”

To protect your property, you can find practical prevention tips on the Sussex Police website to:

• Protect your home including information on door and window locks
• Keep burglars out of your property
• Keep your shed or garage safe and secure
• Access to all information on protecting your home from crime.

Find burglary crime prevention advice here.‍

There are also other ways to protect your personal belongings by using property marking. Register your belongings on the free Immobilise national property register. It only takes a few minutes and increases the chances of being reunited with your property if it is stolen. Find out more on their website here.

Had a cold caller builder 10.30 today 06/10/2021 saying we have loose tile. He said the job they were working locally was finished. The hydraulic hoist they had hired for the day was available.

We live in Wenthill gardens.

Could be replaced for 30 pounds.

Potential scam.

The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership brings together teams from Brighton and Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Highways England, Sussex Police and West Sussex County Council, including West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.
Further Information

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In September, SSRP were joined by The British Horse  Society to raise awareness of the importance of keeping the roads safe for horses and their riders when travelling across Sussex.

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New statistics released by The British Horse Society (BHS) have revealed an increase in road incidents involving horses in the South East of England, with 83 incidents reported to the equine charity during 2020-2021.                                

Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, along with The British Horse Society, spent a day in action educating drivers on how to safely pass horses on the road and encouraging them to adhere to its Dead Slow campaign messages.

Dead Slow was launched to help better educate drivers on how to safely pass horses on the road. The campaign consists of four key behavioural change messages to drivers:

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Slow down to a maximum of 15mph

Be patient – I will  not sound my horn or rev my engine

Pass the horse wide and slow, (if safe to do so) at least a car’s width if possible

Drive slowly away

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The Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner attended the Safe Pass event, supporting the work of SSRP and road safety colleagues across Sussex. Find out more HERE

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Theatre in Education live performances return to Sussex secondary schools!

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Schools across Sussex can once again take advantage of free school-based Theatre in Education performances tailored to help students learn about the importance of pedestrian and passenger safety.

Sussex Safer Roads Partnership have partnered with The Rapport Group to continue providing Year 7 and Year 11 students with vital information and tools to take responsibility for their safety whilst out on the roads. The interactive school-based performances encourage students to consider their approach to road safety through memorable, informative, and fun experiences for students.

Look Up! teaches Year 7 students about the importance of pedestrian safety, how to spot hazards on a journey, the importance of using sense in road safety, how to think like a driver and understand the impact behaviour has on safety.

Take A Second is provided to Year 11 students and generates discussion on how to be a safe passenger, the impact of speed on a collision, the dangers of distracting a driver, and the ways students can speak up to stay safe in a car.

A spokesperson for Sussex Safer Roads Partnership noted: “These productions are a vital tool young road users can utilise to gain the confidence they need to travel safely and independently. Whether walking to school by themselves, or as a passenger with friends, it is important that students are prepared with the knowledge they need to travel safely.

Interventions such as Theatre in Education provide an engaging platform for young road users to learn important skills that will prove invaluable to future road use. Focusing educational interventions at an early stage of a student’s road user experience will help us towards reducing the number of people Killed or Seriously Injured on Sussex roads.”

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Schools that wish to book their FREE school visit, or request further information, should email communications@sussexsaferroads.gov.uk

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Tackling Casualty Reduction in Sussex

Sussex Safer Roads Partnership and Sussex Police are committed to reducing casualties on the roads and making them a safer place for all road users. You can find a snapshot of activity from across Sussex that our teams and volunteers have been doing in response to local issues, including information on how reports made to Operation Crackdown are reviewed and actioned across the county.

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.