Friday 2nd May 2025

Sussex Alerts - Eastbourne Police

Male charged with criminal damage, assaults on emergency workers and thefts sentenced

A 29 year old man from Eastbourne, appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on the 25th April charged with four counts of theft, two counts of criminal damage and two counts of assault of emergency worker.

In March, he was arrested following a report of theft from a supermarket in Lewes, whilst being detained he assaulted an attending officer by using force against the officer when being directed not to re-enter the store.

A second assault on emergency worker occurred whilst being detained by police following a report of theft along Seaside Road in Eastbourne, whereby an officer was kicked to the face during the arrest.

He was also charged with 3 further counts of shoplifting, two of which occurred in Pevensey Bay Road, and Cornfield Road, Eastbourne.

The offences of criminal damage which also occurred in March of 2025, saw him damage the rear windows of two marked police vehicles in Eastbourne, causing both vehicles to be removed from public service.

At Court this week he pleaded guilty to all the offences, and was given a 2 month suspended sentence for 12 months, a 25 day community order which includes a rehabilitation activity requirement, and fines totalling £320.

Prolific shoplifter sentenced in Eastbourne

A prolific shoplifter has been sentenced to 4 weeks in prison and issued a criminal behaviour order (CBO) following a string of shoplifting offences in the town.

The 39 year old man of Eastbourne appeared before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on the 24th April charged with 11 counts of shoplifting.

The offences which occurred between January and April 2025, saw him repeatedly target local businesses in Green Street, Eastbourne.

At Court he pleaded guilty to all 11 offences, and was issued a four week custodial sentence, and a 2 year CBO with a number of conditions, including to leave any store when asked to do so by staff and not to enter any branches of Co-op in the town.

The same male was also arrested on 21st April following a robbery which occurred late evening on the 21st along Cornfield Terrace, Eastbourne. 

At Court he was granted unconditional bail and is due back in Crown Court late May for trial.

Increase in doorstep crime and rogue trader reports

Police in Eastbourne have seen an increase in reporting of rogue traders and doorstep crime in the last few weeks.

Namely reports of individuals targeting elderly or vulnerable members of the community offering services for ‘roof tiles and gutter replacements’.

If you have elderly or vulnerable family members living in the area, we kindly ask you pass on the message and raise awareness.

Our top tips to share with loved ones include:

• Do not be pressured into opening or allowing individuals you are not expecting to enter your home.

• Be suspicious of all ‘too good to be true’ offers and deals.

• Question when tiles or gutters were last done, you know your home better than anyone.

• Don’t hand over money or sign anything until you’ve checked someone’s credentials and their company’s.

• Speak to family members prior to agreeing any work IF you think it needs doing

• Don’t be embarrassed about reporting a scam. Because the scammers are cunning and clever there’s no shame in being deceived. By reporting it, you'll make it more difficult for them to deceive others.

If you think you’ve uncovered a scam, been targeted by a scam or fallen victim to fraudsters, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or to Action Fraud online.

Call us on 101 if you know the suspect or they’re still in the area.

Patrols this week

As the weather warms, and we head into another long weekend for many, we expect to see an increase in visitors, shoppers and local residents out taking advantage of the sunshine, supporting local businesses and enjoying all the things the town has to offer.

This week a number of patrols have already taken place across your town; not only in the town centre, but also in other areas of high footfall, and areas of known anti-social behaviour (ASB), including local parks and open spaces.

With officer patrols both on foot and in cars, and teams engaging with members of the public and local businesses, these patrols are aimed at offering reassurances, and a visible police presence across your town to help keep communities safe; as well as being an opportunity for local teams to update on recently reported crime, and hear directly from communities on any issues you are facing.

Regular patrols will continue through the week and into the weekend aimed at deterring crime, keeping communities safe, identifying suspects, and meeting communities and businesses.

Contact your local policing team online to report any community concerns, local issues or anything the team need to know about – all reports help to direct patrols, enforcement and engagement days, and helps us to help keep you feeling safe.

In an emergency / crime in action always call 999.

Warm weather crime prevention advice

As the weather warms, Police remind homeowers to secure their homes before going out.

It’s vital to leave your home secure whenever you leave it, don’t be tempted to leave windows or doors open if heading out to enjoy the sunshine this weekend.

Getting into an ‘exit routine’ can help ensure that you don’t forget obvious, important things, like not leaving your valuables near windows, or leaving windows open in the heat.

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 robust fixtures bolted to the ground or wall, like a ground anchor

Report and support available online here.

Contact us

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 do not require an urgent response. In an emergency when life is threatened or there is immediate danger always call 999.  

Speak to 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.