Local News

Five people have been arrested in connection with an investigation into money laundering and the supply of controlled drugs in East Sussex

On Thursday (28 September), police executed multiple warrants at residential and business properties in Polegate, Hailsham and Eastbourne.

Significant quantities of steroids and other prescription medication were found and seized.

Two steroid production facilities were uncovered – one concealed in a shipping container at an address in Hailsham Road, Polegate, and a second at a property in West Terrace, Eastbourne.

Officers also seized more than £300,000 in cash and a number of high-value items including a Lamborghini Urus and designer clothing.

A 42yo male, of Hailsham Road, Polegate was one of five people arrested on 28 September. He was subsequently charged with the production of anabolic steroids; possession with intent to supply a controlled Class C drug; being concerned in the supply of a Class C drug; and acquiring / using / possessing criminal property.

He appeared before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (September 30) and has been remanded into custody to next appear before the court on October 30.

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Four other people were also arrested on the day of action. They are:

• A 39-year-old woman from Eastbourne arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the production of anabolic steroids; being concerned in the supply of a Class C drug; and acquiring / using / possessing criminal property.‍
• A 39-year-old man from Eastbourne arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of anabolic steroids; possession with intent to supply a Class C drug; and acquiring / using / possessing criminal property.
• A 39-year-old woman from Eastbourne arrested on suspicion of conspiring to supply a Class C drug; possession of a Class B drug; and concealing / disguising / converting / transferring / removing criminal property.
• A 38-year-old man from Hailsham arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the production of anabolic steroids; possession with intent to supply a Class C drug; and acquiring / using / possessing criminal property

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All four have been released on conditional bail while the investigation is ongoing.

Multiple policing teams were involved in the planning and execution of the warrants, including officers from the Tactical Enforcement Unit and Specialist Enforcement Unit, Digital Investigation Support Unit, Economic Crime Unit, and Community Investigations Team.

Anyone who has any information which they believe may assist with the police enquiries is asked to report online or by calling 101 quoting Operation Law.

Alternatively, information can be supplied anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Out and about this week

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In addition to a number of patrols and street meetings this week, Officers from your Crowborough Neighbourhood Policing Team attended Buxted Scout Hut to meet with the Squirrels.

Officers met with youngsters and Squirrel leaders for a morning of fun and safety advice; from keeping themselves safe and looking out for their peers, to what to do in an emergency situation.

Everyone had a great time and enjoyed trying out the Police car and asking Officers lots of questions, thank you so much for having us along on Saturday – we hope you all had a wonderful weekend, have a great week and stay safe gang.

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Road safety checks this week

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Officers carried out speed checks this week as part of our continued focus on anti-social driving behaviours.

During a 40 minute period in Dittons Road, Stone Cross we recorded one traffic offence report with a vehicle identified by the use of speed gun at 53MPH in a 40MPH area. We also gave words of advice to two drivers for doing over 40MPH but under 50MPH.

In South Road, Hailsham over a period of 35 minutes we issued one traffic offence repor to the driver of a vehicle identified by the use of speed gun at 41MPH in a 30MPH area and gave words of advice to another for doing over 30MPH but under 40MPH.

Operation Crackdown is an initiative run by Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, which gives the communities of Sussex an opportunity to report specific instances of anti-social driving, as well as abandoned vehicles on the road.

Your reports help give us an oversight of when and where anti-social driving incidents in Sussex are taking place.

Find out more online here.

Thank you for helping us keep Sussex roads safe.

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Operation Scarecrow

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On Saturday and Sunday of last week your Crowborough Neighbourhood Policing Team carried out two days of action across the Wealden district, to give public reassurance and crime prevention advice as the dark evenings start to roll in.

Officers held street meetings in both Crowborough, and Forest Row on Saturday, where we were joined by lots of locals queuing up to see us; we spoke about a range of topics, including ASB in the area, as well as offering both advice and tools for residents to help protect their homes in the coming months, as well as relaying the importance of reporting incidents at the time to Police.

As well as meeting locals, a number of Counsellors joined us, and lots of youngsters who were all thrilled to have a go at sitting in the Police car.

On Sunday Officers parked up in both Uckfield and Maresfield in the local Tesco as well as surrounding playing fields.

Officers again spoke with a number of residents, offering advice on home security, and giving out literature on ‘top tips’ to follow to help residents protect their property through the Autumn and Winter months.

Simple reminders such a remembering to lock doors, check windows on both internal and external areas of your property keeping an out for damaged or locks that need replacing can quickly identify areas where potential burglars could enter your home.

Residents had the opportunity to relay any current issues to Officers, including recent road related problems and reports of ASB in the area.

As we head into the Autumn/Winter months, we continue to encourage residents to review their home security, as well as share any advice and tips with both family and friends to help keep each other safe.

A library of crime prevention advice, tools and support can be found on our Sussex Police website here.

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Arrests this week

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In addition to arrests elsewhere on the district, proactive Police patrols and public reporting have already lead to a number of arrests in Crowborough this week.

Following your reports, and patrols from Police two youngsters in the area of Pocket Park Crowborough were arrested earlier this week for drug related offences, with a further arrest made later in the week for an assault in the town following calls to a domestic matter.

In addition to arrests, Officers from your Crowborough Neighbourhood Policing Team caught up with a group of youngsters causing anti-social behaviour at a local supermarket thanks to reports from the store via the Wealden DISC App.

Both drug and ASB related matters can have a significant impact on local communities, and we are committed to continued targeted patrols in areas reported by residents, and areas which seen an increase in ASB or crime.

As we head into the weekend, the welfare and safety of our communities remains a top priority; if you are out and about and see or hear anything we need to know about, please report it at the time.

Remember each Friday and Saturday evenings from 6pm and midnight residents can call Officers directly on 07770 700642 to report any anti-social behaviour or youth related disorder as part of our continued ‘Operation Blitz’ ASB targeting patrols conducted across the district in addition to regular patrols throughout the week.

Outside of these times, please call 101 or report online for all non-emergencies, and always by calling 999 in an emergency/crime in action.

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Halloween Crime Prevention Advice

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Halloween has become an increasingly popular celebration over the past few years for children, families and young people especially, but it is important not to have fun at the expense of others.

To make it easy to see who’s welcoming of trick and treaters and who doesn’t wish to be disturbed, we have produced trick or treat posters. Residents are advised to continue to be vigilant when opening the door to strangers or unexpected callers.  

One way to deter unwanted trick or treaters on 31 October is to print and display the 'no trick or treaters' poster which you can find and print up online here.

Physical copies can also be obtained from your local Police Station.

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Further advice to residents:

Don’t open your door if you’re unsure who is there. Use your spyhole, look out of a window, and use your door chain if you do decide to open your door.

Have a contact number of a close relative or good neighbour to hand by your telephone, just in case you need to phone them.

If you are part of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, let your coordinator know that you will be on your own at Hallowe’en.  

If you are a coordinator, please identity people in your scheme that may be vulnerable and offer them reassurance.

If you are driving on the evening of the 31st, remember that excited children may be crossing the road unexpectedly, so slow down in residential areas and take extra care.

There will be increased patrols this Hallowe’en to deter any anti-social behaviour; officers will be quick to disperse groups of people who are found to be causing a nuisance. Sussex Police will not tolerate any anti-social behaviour at any time of the year.

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).

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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.