Local News

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:

‍
-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.)

‍

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.

‍

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.

‍

Message Sent By

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

Op Blitz This Weekend

‍

‍

Additional patrols will be taking place in Heathfield tonight (Friday 7th) and in Polegate Saturday (8th July) as part of our weekly Operation Blitz activity keeping a particular eye out for anti-social behaviour (ASB).

You can contact the PCSOs directly on 07770700642 between 6pm and midnight if you spot anything we need to know about.

This ASB Awareness week we want to highlight that:

• ASB is not a low-level crime, it can have a lasting impact on communities and the police are committed to tackling it.
• Everyone has a right to live their lives free from intimidation and harassment in their own communities.
• Policing will use various tactics available to us and partner agencies to stop ASB, including drug courts, hot spots policing, education and community safety partnerships.

Outside of these times please continue to report ASB online or by calling 101, in an emergency always call 999.

‍

ASB Awareness Week Patrols

‍

‍

Patrols around the Uckfield Civic Centre continue again this weekend as part of Operation Blitz (ASB targeting patrols).

Following reports of groups congregating, causing a general nuisance and damaging property in the area, Officers conducted a number of hi-visibility patrols in the area, keeping an eye out for both ASB and suspicious activities, as well as acting as a deterrent to those causing ASB in your town.

This ASB Awareness Week we will be raising awareness of both Police activity to target ASB, as well as where victims of anti-social behaviour can turn to, please follow our social media throughout the week for more information and support, or look out for the ASB Awareness Week alert sent earlier this week via Sussex Alerts.

Contact us 24/7, online or 101 (non-emergencies), and always by calling 999 in an emergency/crime in action.

‍

‍

Vehicle Damage Hailsham‍

‍

Following recent reports of a number of vehicles being damaged in Hailsham, we are investigating the circumstances and any potential links between the incidents.

We are aware of CCTV images and are in the process of reviewing those to try and identify the suspects.

We will continue to conduct further CCTV searches and remain in contact with the victims. Your local Neighbourhood Policing Team will also continue increased high-visibility patrols across Hailsham.

If you witnessed any of these incidents or have any further information please do let us know by calling 101 or reporting online.

In an emergency or if a crime is taking place always call 999.

‍

‍

999 Call Handler Recruitment

‍

‍

We are currently recruiting for 999 contact officers.

With no two calls ever the same, our contact officers are an integral part of our frontline, supporting the divisions of Sussex.

Register and join us for a webinar on Tuesday 11th July at 18:30 to ask any questions you have about the role, and learn a little more about what to expect as a 999 call taker here.

Unable to join the webinar, but would still like more information on the role?

You can email our Recruitment Team on careers@sussex.police.uk to book a 1:1 recruitment call with one of the team.

‍

‍

Police Station Visits

‍

We were delighted to welcome a local Beaver group to Hailsham Police Station earlier this week.

Members of the 1st Anderida Beaver Scouts were given a tour of the station by the Neighbourhood Policing Team and got to see our kit up close. We also had a chat about Road Safety and answered any questions the Beavers had about being a Police Officer.

The visit was a great success and was enjoyed by our team as much as the children!

If you are involved in a local youth group who would like to come along for a similar visit please do get in touch online and we would be happy to arrange this with you.

(Photo shared with permission)

‍

‍

Arrests This Week

‍

‍

This week has seen over 20 people taken into custody across Wealden following arrests for a number of offences including criminal damage, burglary and driving whilst over the limit for alcohol.

As we head into the weekend, the safety and welfare of our local communities remains a top priority for Wealden Police, whilst we can not be everywhere, we could be anywhere, and continue to encourage local residents to report anything they think we need to know about at the time by either reporting online or calling 101 - in an emergency or crime in action/where there is threat to life/property always call 999.

‍

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.

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 Whatsapp scams, phishing emails and text messages, and raising awareness on elder abuse.

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

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.

Operation Sceptre

As part of our continued work to help keep your communities safe from violent crime, your Wealden Neighbourhood Policing Team have been out and about conducting 'sweeps' of local parks, and public spaces, removing and identifying any hidden or discarded items that could be used in a serious crime.

Regular sweeps are conducted across the district throughout the year, as well as during Operation Sceptre week; a national campaign which takes place twice a year, supporting the work Sussex Police carries out all year round to ensure residents are safe from knife crime in their communities.

The campaign comprises a mix of targeted operational and educational activities to remove unwanted knives off the streets of Sussex, and to reassure and educate young people on the dangers of carrying knives.  

Spot the signs, find support, and how to open conversations with youngsters around knife crime on our Sussex Police website here.

Police have seized 99 cannabis plants at a former pub site in Uckfield

Officers from East Sussex’s Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU) gained entry to the former Brickmakers Arms in New Road, Ridgewood, Uckfield, on Tuesday 25 April following reports of suspicious activity from members of the public.

‍

Inside, they found the cannabis plants, which were in the early stage of growth, alongside growing equipment. Superintendent Till Sanderson said: “The site was previously found to be a cannabis factory in May 2021, which was disrupted, but members of the public thought it had started up again.

“It looks like we disrupted the grow at an early stage. The offenders had spent a considerable amount of time, effort and money in constructing the site which they have now thankfully lost. “Cannabis is a harmful, banned substance and its cultivation, sale and distribution brings criminality to an area. It can lead to more serious crimes and goes hand-in-hand with violence, exploitation and addiction, sowing devastation among our communities. “This operation proves that we will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of perpetrators, while working with our partners to address the root causes of this behaviour and safeguard those most at risk of harm.”

‍

Vehicle pursuit

We made three arrests and recovered two suspected stolen vehicles following a pursuit from Hove to Hailsham (Tuesday, May 2). Highly-trained officers were able to safely bring a vehicle to a stop on the A22, where the arrests were then made. Officers from across the force were also joined by the National Police Air Service helicopter to track one of the vehicles after a driver had earlier decamped from a separate vehicle.

Sussex Police's Head of Roads Policing Superintendent Rachel Glenton said: "The teamwork was seamless, and NPAS provided excellent oversight which helped us reduce the risk to the public, to officers and to those in vehicle itself."

Read more about the incident, and our appeal for witnesses and information, online here.

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.