Friday 2nd May 2025

Sussex Alerts - Lewes and Seahaven Police

Operation Downsway Peacehaven

Earlier this week officers from your Lewes Neighbourhood Policing Team conducted a number of vehicle stop checks across the coast as part of our continued work to keep all road users safe.

Drivers witnessed by officers using mobile phones or other distractions at the wheel were safety stopped, and directed away from the main road where a number of drivers were either educated about their driving or issued traffic offence reports (TORs) for any offences identified.

During the course of the morning many drivers were safety stopped and spoken to, with a total of three TORs being issued for offences including driving whilst not wearing a seatbelt, and driving whilst using a mobile phone.

Both these offences make for two of the ‘fatal5’ driving offences, so called as they are the top 5 contributing factors to fatal collisions on the roads of Sussex each year.

Operation Downsway, which launched in April in East Sussex and will run through the summer months (in addition to regular checks 365 days of the year), and residents can expect to see an increased police presence on the roads of Sussex.

The aim of the operation is to help:

• Raise awareness of the fatal 5 driving offences

• Reduce the number of people who are killed or seriously injured on the roads of East Sussex

• Reduce the number of reported incidents of anti-social driving

• Increase public confidence in local policing through increased visibility and patrols

• Target those individuals who are prepared to drive on the roads in an anti-social or irresponsible manner

Keeping you safe both day and night

Over the last few nights, Police across our coastal towns have been conducting proactive patrols, including in open spaces and parks, following recent reports of both crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB), including here in the ‘big park’ in Peacehaven.

Officers have also been conducting enquiries during their patrols following reports of attempted theft of vehicles, and reports of a vehicle break in the last few days to identify any lines of enquiry and any individuals involved.

Not only are patrols aimed at identifying those involved; but are also in place to act as a deterrent to those committing crime and causing ASB in the area, and offer communities reassurances that reports are taken seriously.

We understand that ASB can, and does negatively impact communities and can significantly affect residents’ quality of life.

Local teams continue to conduct frequent patrols throughout the day and evening, and will take action to address reports of ASB or crimes in progress.

Your reports matter, and we continue to encourage members of public to contact us if they witness or become victim of any vehicle crime, ASB or criminal damage.

Contact us, 101/online all non-emergency reporting and support, and always by calling 999 in an emergency.

Partnership working to help keep our roads safe

Earlier this week, officers were joined by East Sussex Fire and Rescue along Nevil Road in Lewes, who together took to conducting both enforcement and educational stops, reminding drivers of the dangers and potentially fatal consequences driving whilst distracted can have, and prompting drivers to keep an eye on their driving and speed ahead of the warmer months.

During the course of the morning a number of vehicles were safety stopped, with drivers spoken to by both Police and Fire Officers on a number of topics, including excess speed, and the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt; with Police dealing with any driving related offences.

Operation Downsway is our dedicated campaign (in addition to checks 365 days a year) to tackle both road and driving related offences, which runs April to September.

The campaign is to not only enforce ‘fatal5’ driving offences, but to also and educate drivers around the dangers as we continue to work alongside our partners to help promote road safety and reduce the number of serious and fatal collisions.

The fatal5 driving offences are so named as they are the main contributors to serious and fatal road traffic collisions on the roads of Sussex each year, these are, excess speed, not wearing a seatbelt, distractions ie: using your mobile or a hand-held device, drink and/or drug driving and careless and/or inconsiderate driving

As always, communities are continually encouraged to report road or driving related offences to us either online or by calling 101.

In addition to being able to take action as a result of your reports, all reports help to provide Sussex Police with offence data and mapping which aids in directing our Operation Downsway activities in areas which have seen an increase in offences and collisions. In an emergency or serious collision 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.