Local News

Friday 9th February 2024

Sussex Alerts - Wealden Police

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Incident

Emergency services responded to welfare concerns at an address in Uckfield on Thursday morning (February 8th)

A 38-year-old woman and two children, aged 9 and 13, were located inside the property and taken to hospital for treatment. While their conditions remain serious, they are currently in a stable state.

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of administering a noxious substance / poison to cause injury. We are not searching for anyone else in relation to this investigation.

Our enquiries are ongoing and a heightened police presence is anticipated in the area at this time. This is being treated as an isolated incident with no threat to the wider community.

Burglary reports

We have received a number of reported burglaries across Wealden this past week, with homes being targeted through back doors and windows.

The Neighbourhood Policing Team will continue patrols over the coming weeks, deterring crime and taking action against those affecting the safety and welfare of our local communities.

A determined burglar can be difficult to discourage. Good-quality doors, windows and locks are excellent deterrents, but there’s even more you can do to stop burglars in their tracks.

Here’s what we recommend you do before you go out:

• close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you’re only going out for a few minutes
• double-lock any door
• make sure that any valuables are out of sight
• keep handbags away from the letterbox or cat flap and hide all keys including car keys, as a thief could hook keys or valuables through even a small opening
• never leave car documents or ID in obvious places such as kitchens or hallways
• in the evening, shut the curtains and leave lights on
• if you’re out all day, then it’s advisable to use a timer device to automatically turn lights and a radio on at night
• set your burglar alarm
• make sure the side gate is locked
• lock your shed or garage
• lock your bike inside a secure shed or garage, to a robust fitting bolted to the ground or wall, like a ground anchor

Rural burglary patrols

High visibility Police patrols to deter and stop criminals targeting rural locations continue this week.

Over the last few weeks, over 30 hours have been given to targeted patrols in areas of Ticehurst, Wadhurst, Stonegate, Groombridge and Withyham; to name a few.

In addition to offering reassurances to local residents through these patrols; we aim to deter and catch those committing crime and burglary by conducting random vehicle stop checks, as well as identifying vulnerable areas and roads which could be used by criminals.

Whilst we continue to conduct these patrols both late evening and into the small hours, we also continue to encourage homeowners to review their security to help prevent becoming a victim of burglary.

A number of top tips, and crime prevention advice on how to secure both your property, any outbuildings and vehicles can be found on our Sussex Police website.

Visits to schools around the community

The neighbourhood policing team have visited several schools this week and engaged with children from the ages of 4 up to 15.

It's important to us that students of all ages know who we are, what we do and that they can always come to us for help!

There is always a great atmosphere from these visits, especially after experiencing first hand what it's like to sit in a police car and try on the uniform!

Convictions made in large drug OCG

An organised crime group (OCG) disguised class A and B drugs as bath salts and beauty products for export from Sussex.

Police discovered two holdalls containing nearly £1 million worth of MDMA (ecstasy) at a farm near Shoreham, West Sussex, prompting an investigation.

The group had tried to send packages to the USA and Australia via a courier service using false packaging, but most of the deliveries were intercepted. Now, all eight defendants, including a male from Polegate involved have been convicted for their roles in the criminality.

Read more about the case online Group sentenced for organised drugs supply from Sussex | Sussex Police

The Herbert Protocol

If you have a family member or someone you care for who has dementia, please consider using the Herbert Protocol.

The Herbert Protocol is a form that carers, family or friends of a vulnerable person can fill in which contains a list of information to help the police if the person goes missing, including:

• medication required

• mobile numbers

• places that are special to them / where they’ve been located if they have gone missing before

• a recent photograph

Keeping a completed form saves you the worry of trying to recall vital information during the stressful time of reporting someone missing. It also saves time for the police, allowing our search to start sooner.

We only need the form at the point the person is reported missing. There is no need to hand it to us before then and the form will be returned to you once the person is found.

The initiative is named after George Herbert, a war veteran of the Normandy landings, who lived with dementia. He sadly died whilst missing, trying to find his childhood home.

You can read more about the #HerbertProtocol and download the form here Herbert Protocol | Sussex Police

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.

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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Friday 22nd December 2023

(This will be the last alert until the New Year)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Wealden Police

Wishing all of our residents and followers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We're here for you over the Christmas period if you need to contact us:

💻 www.sussex.police.uk for all non-urgent crime reporting, advice and support.

☎️ 101 or 999.

Use 101 in a non-emergency situation, if a crime has already taken place.

Call 999 in an emergency situation where a crime is taking place, there is threat to life/property or you or someone else are in immediate danger.

Further support over Christmas.

National Domestic Abuse Helpline 📞 0808 2000 247

Samaritans 📞 116 123

Child Line 📞 0800 1111

NHS non-emergency 📞 111

Crime Stoppers 📞 0800 555 111

Business crime awareness week

During business crime awareness week 2023 officers have been giving extra patrols to your high streets, retail parks and shopping areas to raise awareness of all things business crime related.

In Uckfield yesterday Officers were on patrol to speak to Christmas shoppers about keeping themselves and their shopping safe from theft, and stopping in on our local business owners to share with them the latest crimes going around, as well as what actions we are taking, and what they can do to safeguard against business crime this Christmas.

Today our business crime awareness week patrols will be heading to Crowborough – in addition to crime updates and prevention tools/advice, officers will be looking for new businesses to join the Wealden DISC App available to all businesses in the area.

If you are a business in the area and wish to find out more about DISC please visit: Business crime | Sussex Police

Local Officer awarded with Chief’s Commendation

Meet Police Constable Ben Barnatt, who was given a Chief’s Commendation earlier this month.

PC Barnatt carried out a brave and tenacious act in arresting two masked men who broke into a property in Hailsham.

They held a knife to the victim's throat and made threats of violence, demanding to know where the safe and cash were. They also threatened to kill the victim's dog.

The men made off on foot, but were quickly apprehended by PC Barnatt and PD Skye, who has sadly since passed away.

PC Barnatt recovered the knife from a jacket inside the stolen vehicle, which was on false plates and had been linked to other knife-related offences in the days leading up to the incident.

Both men were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary, possession of a bladed article, and theft of a motor vehicle.

After receiving his award, PC Barnatt said: “It was an honour to receive this commendation from the Chief.

“To me, I was just doing my job, so to be recognised for it is lovely – and for Skye!”

The commendations marked the outstanding achievements of people from across policing, as well as members of the public who had stepped in to do the right thing.

Action Fraud Christmas fraud and scams

The 12 online frauds of Christmas campaign launched this Christmas by Action Fraud delivers key crime prevention messages, raise awareness of online fraud and ultimately allow people to protect themselves from becoming a victim of fraud.

For anyone who has missed our shares in the lead up to Christmas, or would like a round-up of the scams and frauds being highlighted, residents can view an online PDF version of the top 12 frauds online here.

Drink/drug drive campaign - Operation Limit

Over 130 arrests already made following our crackdown on drink/drug driving which launched on the 1st December.

Op Limit sees officers across the district take to the roads of your towns and villages to conduct roadside checks to target drink and drug drivers this Christmas.

Find out more about these arrests, our campaign, and how we are asking the public to support us in reporting those who they know or believe to be getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or drugs online here.

The Christmas crackdown on drink and drug drivers is a campaign which runs from December 1 to January 1.

This is in addition to the routine roads policing work carried out 365 days a year.

In keeping with previous campaigns, some of those convicted of drink and drug-driving will be identified on our website and social media channels as a deterrent.

If you believe someone to be about to take to the roads after consuming alcohol or drugs, call 999.

Operation Hope - Domestic abuse at Christmas

Domestic abuse can and does affect anyone, nationally, nearly half of male victims (49%) of domestic abuse don't tell anyone.

No one should suffer from domestic abuse - If you report to us, we will support you.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse in any form you can contact us online or by calling 101.

If you don't wish to speak with us, there are lots of agencies and support services for all victims, who can help.

You can find contact details online here.

In an emergency or if you are in immediate danger always call 999.

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Sussex and Surrey Police Fraud Newsletter October 2023

Dear residents,

Please find attached the latest Fraud Newsletter from your Sussex and Surrey Police Police Economic Crime Unit.

In this month’s edition, we focus on the digital switchover, online selling scams and sexual blackmail phishing.

Each month we see many incidents of fraudsters targeting our residents in an attempt to defraud them. We’re working 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.

T/Detective Chief Inspector Simon Doyle, Surrey Police & Sussex Police Economic Crime Unit

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Staying Safe In The Digital World

Sick of asking relatives or friends to help show you how to do something online, worried about cyber crime online? Then this training input could leave you feeling so experienced, others will be coming to you for tips!

We can help you feel confident using the internet no matter your age or prior experience with our Surrey & Sussex Police Cyber Crime Unit webinars.

We hope you will join us in this exciting opportunity to hear directly from the Cyber Protect Officer for Surrey Police and Sussex Police. Learn from the expert about the most common types of Cyber-Crime affecting people in your community, and how you can massively reduce your chance of being a victim.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions relating to Cyber Security at the end of each session.

For your convenience, your Surrey & Sussex Police Cyber Crime Unit will be hosting these webinars on the following dates – Just click the link below to register and be ready to join when the event starts.

You can join Microsoft Teams meetings as a guest if you don’t have an account.

16th October – 6PM-7PM – Cyber Security for Humans. Easy tips to stay safe in a Digital World. Tickets, Mon 16 Oct 2023 at 18:00 | Eventbrite

18th October – 1PM-2PM – Cyber Security for Humans. Easy tips to stay safe in a Digital World. Tickets, Wed 18 Oct 2023 at 13:00 | Eventbrite

20th October – 5PM-6PM – Cyber Security for Humans. Easy tips to stay safe in a Digital World. Tickets, Fri 20 Oct 2023 at 17:00 | Eventbrite

Unable to make the online events? View, save and share the latest (5th edition) of the Little Book Of Big Scams online here to help keep you and your loved ones safe from scam and fraud.

If you have been a victim of scam or fraud, report it to us online or by calling 101.

You can also report to CrimeStoppers and Action Fraud.