Local News

Out and about enjoying the sunny weather?

Whether you're planning a trip to the beach, a countryside walk, or a drive, here are a few important reminders -

🥤 Stay Hydrated – If you're heading out, especially for long periods, make sure to carry plenty of water to stay hydrated in the heat.

🚗 Plan Ahead – If you're travelling by car, plan your journey in advance. Expect delays in popular areas and ensure your vehicle is road-ready, especially in hot conditions.

🏖️ Respect Our Spaces – If you're visiting the beach or any of our beautiful green spaces, please take your litter home with you. Let’s all do our part to keep these areas clean and enjoyable for everyone.

🚦 Camber Beach Visitors – Camber can attract over 20,000 visitors a day during peak times. Parking is limited and roads can become heavily congested, with long delays. Consider alternative destinations or travel times to avoid long waits in the heat.

🌊 Water Safety – #FloatToLive – If you get into difficulty in the water, remember, lean back, extend your arms and legs, and float like a starfish. This simple action can save your life. #RespectTheWater

We’ll have officers out and about throughout the weekend to support our communities. Please enjoy the sunshine responsibly and look out for one another.

Fraud can impact anyone, but scammers often prey on the elderly and vulnerable. That’s why we’re committed to helping you stay one step ahead.

Read our latest Fraud Newsletter for practical advice and important updates on the newest scams circulating in our communities. Inside, you’ll find tips on how to recognise fraud, how to protect yourself and others, and what to do if you suspect something’s wrong.

This edition features a real-life story where a quick-thinking jeweller helped stop scammers from defrauding an elderly gentleman out of £40,000, proof that awareness and vigilance really do make a difference.

How you can help:

We’re here to support you, and by working together, we can make it harder for criminals to operate in our communities.

Read the full newsletter here Fraud Newsletter - June 2025 | Surrey Police

Is someone counting on you to get home safely? The consequences of drink / drug driving can be devastating.

🔴 Plan how you're all getting home.

🔴 Look out for your mates.

🔴 End the night safely for everyone.

🦌 Deer Aware – Drive with Caution

Please take extra care when driving through rural or wooded areas.

🚨 Key Deer Safety Tips:

🦌 When are deer most active?
Deer are present year-round, but collisions peak May–June (when young deer disperse) and October–November (rutting season). Be especially alert at dawn and dusk, when visibility is low and deer are most active.

🦌 Seen one? Expect more.
If a deer crosses your path, slow down, others may follow. Deer often move in groups and can behave unpredictably.

🦌 Watch for signs.
Deer warning signs are placed in known crossing areas. If you see one, reduce your speed, stay alert, and be ready to stop.

🦌 Use your lights wisely.
At night, use full-beam headlights when safe to do so. This can help you spot deer by the reflection in their eyes. If you see a deer, dip your lights, bright beams may cause them to freeze.

🦌 If you hit a deer:

Stay safe and help protect our wildlife.

🔒 Secure Your Shed & Garage 

We urge all residents to keep their sheds and garages locked at all times, especially when not in use. They often contain valuable tools, bikes, or gardening equipment that are attractive targets for thieves.

👮‍♂️ Crime Prevention Tips:

Let’s work together to make our sheds and garages as difficult to access and unattractive to criminals as possible.

Stay safe. Stay secure.

👮‍♀️ Police Pod Update 

The Police Pod in Hastings Town Centre will now be open daily from 12pm to 2pm, except when urgent duties require our attention elsewhere.

During these hours, PCSOs will be on hand to offer support, answer questions, and chat with members of the public. You’ll also continue to see our Police Officers conducting regular foot patrols throughout the day, maintaining a visible and reassuring presence in the community.

We’re pleased to say that our daily and evening foot patrols in Hastings Town Centre and the Old Town have had a positive impact on reducing crime and increasing public confidence. These patrols also give us valuable opportunities to connect with residents, business owners, and visitors.

Visibility makes a difference. We know that having officers on foot helps people feel safer and encourages more conversation. It’s a chance for us to listen to your concerns, answer questions, and offer support face-to-face.

Come Say Hello whether you have a question, concern, or just want to talk, please don’t hesitate to stop and speak with us during our patrols.

While on patrol in Hastings, we stopped a rider on Pelham Place after seeing them use a mobile phone while operating a moped (not a delivery vehicle).

Upon further checks, we discovered that the rider had no insurance and was driving with a revoked licence under RTTP (Revoked Till Test Passed). This status applies to drivers who receive six or more penalty points within the first two years of holding a full licence.

As a result:

A reminder to all road users: Using a mobile phone while riding or driving is not only dangerous, it’s illegal. Insurance and licence conditions are legal requirements for your own safety and the safety of others. Non-compliance will result in enforcement action.

Let’s keep our roads safe, stay legal, stay alert.

A vehicle was stopped on Carlisle Parade, Hastings, after we observed the driver using a mobile phone while driving and failing to wear a seatbelt.

Further checks revealed the individual was working as a delivery driver and not only lacked the correct insurance cover but had no insurance at all.

As a result:

Words of Advice: Driving without insurance or failing to comply with basic road safety laws, such as wearing a seatbelt and avoiding mobile phone use, endangers everyone on the road. If you drive for work, it’s your responsibility to ensure you have the appropriate insurance cover. Standard policies don’t usually include business or commercial use.

Stay safe. Stay legal. The consequences of cutting corners behind the wheel can be severe.

During recent daytime foot patrols in Hastings Town Centre, officers responded proactively to reports of street drinking within Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) areas, which often contributes to wider anti-social behaviour (ASB).

What we did:

Licensing Reminders:

A Message to the Community: We’re committed to ensuring Hastings Town Centre is a safe, respectful space for everyone. Your reports play a vital role in helping us target problem areas, take enforcement action, and work with our partners to address root causes, including holding retailers accountable.

On Saturday we had the pleasure of attending the Silverdale Primary Academy summer event as part of our Neighbourhood Policing Patrols

The police car was a big hit with the children, who were excited to explore inside, try on various pieces of police uniform, and see what it’s like to be an officer. We had some fantastic questions from curious young minds, everything from why we wear different jackets and hats, to what the different coloured lights mean, and how we use equipment like cones, signs, and police tape.

The sirens were definitely a highlight, with plenty of smiles and wide eyes every time they sounded!

It was great to hear so many children want to become police officers when they grow up. Moments like these remind us how important it is to build positive relationships with young people in our communities.

As always, our stickers, colouring pages, and wordsearches were a big hit and helped keep the fun going throughout the day.

Thanks for inviting us Silverdale Primary Academy 

Following community concerns about excessive speeding, the Neighbourhood Policing Team joined Community Speed Watch (CSW) on Elphinstone Road for a proactive speed monitoring operation, another outing for the Speed Indication Device (SID).

While the majority of drivers were within the legal limit, we did stop and speak with several motorists, including one individual recorded at 48mph in a 30mph zone. This level of speeding is unacceptable and poses a serious risk to all road users.

Education and enforcement around speeding, and the potentially life-changing consequences it can have, remain a one of our priorities. We are committed to working alongside CSW and local residents to make our roads safer for everyone.

We will continue to support Community Speed Watch initiatives and take robust action where necessary.

If you’re interested in joining or setting up a CSW group in your area, please visit the Community Speed Watch website here Community Speedwatch Online

Sussex Police will provide full training and ongoing support.

On Saturday, we had the pleasure of attending a vibrant community event at Hastings Museum and Art Gallery. The event showcased the talents of local designers, businesses, and voluntary organisations, with a wide range of activities including international cuisine, cooking demonstrations, and creative workshops.

Our presence at the event was a great opportunity to connect with local people and visitors, offer crime prevention advice, raise awareness about scams, and answer questions from members of the public.

We’re committed to being visible and approachable in our community, and events like this help us build strong relationships and keep Hastings a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

While on patrol, we stopped a vehicle initially for a seatbelt offence. Further checks revealed that the driver held only a provisional licence and was driving without supervision, a clear breach of licence conditions.

In addition, the vehicle was found to have two bald tyres, a faulty brake light, and was being used for deliveries under Social, Domestic & Pleasure (SD&P) insurance, which does not cover business use.

The driver was dealt with for the licence offence and the dangerous condition of the tyres.

 These types of offences pose serious risks to road safety, and we remain committed to identifying and addressing illegal driving across our communities.

We’re here to keep the roads safe for everyone, and that means taking action when drivers fail to meet legal and safety standards.

While on patrol in St Leonard’s on Saturday, we were delighted to be invited to host a stall at the vibrant festival held in Warrior Square Gardens.

It was a fantastic opportunity to meet local residents, businesses, and visitors face-to-face, answer questions, share valuable information, and maintain a reassuring presence in the area.

The atmosphere was buzzing, and we were warmly welcomed to join in the fun! St Michael’s Hospice kindly invited us to try our hand at the drum session—although, to be fair, the drums were cleverly disguised exercise balls. We then took part in Active Hastings’ speed-and-flexibility cone challenge, which truly put our coordination to the test!

From circus acrobats and live music to local theatre, storytelling, craft sessions, hula hoop workshops, and a brilliant mix of community stalls and delicious food vendors, the festival offered something for everyone.

We’ve received reports from residents on Filsham Road, regarding concerns about vehicles travelling at excessive speeds, particularly worrying given the close proximity of a local school.

In response, we deployed our Speed Indicator Device (SID) to monitor and educate drivers about the importance of safe speeds. This tool not only helps us gather data but also serves as a visible reminder to motorists to check their speed and drive responsibly.

During our deployment, we found over 10 vehicles travelling close to 40mph, well above the typical 30mph limit for residential areas. This level of speeding poses a serious risk, especially to children and other vulnerable road users.

Our Message to Drivers:

We want to reassure the community that we take these concerns seriously. Our goal is not just enforcement, but education, to ensure everyone gets home safely.

If you're worried about speeding in your neighbourhood, you can take an active role in making your community safer by joining or starting a Community Speed Watch (CSW) team. These volunteer-led groups work in partnership with local police to monitor vehicle speeds and raise awareness about road safety.

To learn more about how to get involved or to set up a team in your area, please visit the official Community Speed Watch website: 

We were thrilled to be invited to join the fun at St Leonards C of E Primary Academy’s Summer Fête, and what a brilliant day it was!

Our presence was certainly in demand, not for policing duties, but for our uniform and kit! The youngsters were eager to try on our gear, get behind our riot shields, and explore the inside of our police van. It was wonderful to see their excitement and curiosity.

One future recruit, Valentino, was especially chuffed to suit up in uniform and proudly sport our safety equipment - watch this space! A special thank you to the young ladies whose parents kindly gave permission for us to take some photos. They wore our uniform and riot shields with flair and confidence!

Events like these give us the perfect opportunity to connect with local residents, families, and schools in a positive and relaxed environment.

Following a recent meeting with residents on Springfield Road, we’ve returned to the area with our Speed Indicator Device (SID) as part of our continued efforts to address concerns around speeding.

The SID helps us monitor traffic patterns while also providing real-time feedback to drivers, encouraging them to reduce their speed and drive more responsibly.

A reminder to all drivers:

We remain committed to both education and enforcement to ensure the safety of all road users. Your concerns are being heard, and we’re taking proactive steps to make a difference.

If you're concerned about speeding in your area, you can get involved by joining or starting a Community Speed Watch team. These volunteer-led groups work alongside police to monitor speeds and promote safer driving habits.

To find out more, visit the official Community Speed Watch website:

We were pleased to welcome the 1st Sidley Cub group to Hastings Police Station for a behind-the-scenes tour and an introduction to the work of the Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Sergeant Bracey kicked off the visit with a talk about the many different roles within policing and the vital work we do to keep people safe and support our communities.

The Cubs then had the chance to:

It was fantastic to see how enthusiastic and engaged the Cubs were throughout the visit, and we had just as much fun sharing what we do!

A special mention to PCSO Vine, who bravely took on several arm-wrestling challenges from the Cubs… and lost every single one!

Thank you to the 1st Sidley Cubs for visiting, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

As part of our ongoing commitment to road safety, we recently deployed a Speed Indicator Device (SID) on The Ridge to monitor vehicle speeds in the area.

While on site, we also took the opportunity to address concerns raised during school drop-off and pick-up times, about vehicles parking in the bus stop. This behaviour poses a safety risk, particularly to school children, as it forces buses to stop in the road, reducing visibility for other road users and increasing the chance of accidents. It also causes disruption to bus services.

Our priority is everyone’s safety. Please help us keep the area safe by parking considerately and responsibly.

As part of our ongoing efforts to tackle speeding and promote safer driving, we recently deployed our Speed Indicator Device (SID) on St Helens Road, near the junction with Ashford Road.

The SID helps us monitor traffic speeds and serves as a visible reminder to drivers to check their speed and drive responsibly. While on site, a local resident approached us to say how much they appreciated the initiative, highlighting the positive impact this kind of visible policing can have.

During the deployment, another resident from Grange Road stopped to raise concerns about speeding in their area. In response, we also deployed the SID on Grange Road to assess the situation and raise awareness among drivers there too.

These deployments are part of our wider commitment to educating drivers about the dangers of speeding, particularly in residential areas where pedestrians, children, and cyclists are more at risk.

We’ll continue to listen to community concerns and take proactive steps to keep our roads safe for everyone.

If you're concerned about speeding in your area, you can get involved by joining or starting a Community Speed Watch team. These volunteer-led groups work alongside police to monitor speeds and promote safer driving habits.

To find out more, visit the official Community Speed Watch website:

Neighbourhood Officers hit the ground running on Wednesday with a proactive foot patrol through Hastings Town Centre.

Shortly before 9am, an officer received a radio alert regarding a known and prolific shoplifter seen in Primark. Within three minutes, the officer was on scene, but the individual had already left. Thanks to the swift action of Primark security and the effective use of the ShopWatch radio network, other stores in the area were able to track the suspect’s movements.

While one officer remained to take a statement and begin the necessary paperwork, additional officers continued targeted patrols in key hotspot areas. A few hours later, the suspect was in the town centre and arrested.

Throughout the morning, officers engaged with members of the street community and took the opportunity to speak with residents, shoppers, and visitors.

Just after 11:00, a distressed mother and daughter approached officers to report a missing purse, possibly stolen while travelling on a bus into town. Officers immediately advised them to cancel the associated bank card and took details to follow up with the bus company for CCTV enquiries.

Patrols continued throughout the day, with the afternoon and evening proving just as busy.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to stop and chat. Many told us they were pleased to see persistent daily patrols and felt safer and reassured knowing we were close by.

💬 If you see something suspicious or need to report a crime, please call 101 or report online at www.sussex.police.uk

Ahoy, Mateys!
As the sun sails high and Pirates Day approaches, your trusty crew at the station were in full swing while on patrol in Hastings Town Centre. During our visit to local businesses, we had the chance to don a pirate’s hat at Substance Fancy Dress shop, very fitting for the weekend ahead!

Here’s some top treasure, worthy advice to keep the good vibes flowing:

🌊 No grog before a swim! Drinking and swimming don’t mix. Keep it shipshape near the water.
🚗 Don’t drink and drive. Even pirates know when to hand over the wheel.
🏴‍☠️ Look out for your shipmates. Whether you’re at the beach, a party, or setting sail for fun, always watch each other’s backs.
🕵️ Trust your instincts. If something feels off, drop anchor and report it. We’re here to help.

Let’s make this weekend one for the logbooks, full of fun, laughter, and smooth sailing. Stay safe, stay savvy, and enjoy your adventures.

🦜 Now go forth, me hearties!

While out on foot patrol through Hastings Town Centre and the Old Town this afternoon, our neighbourhood team had the pleasure of meeting some truly wonderful members of our community.

We were especially delighted to spend a few moments with Alex, a young man with additional needs who has a real passion for policing. He was out enjoying the sunshine with his guardian and kindly agreed to have a photo with us, a moment we won’t forget. We even managed to find a police pen for him, perfect for his paperwork and budding policing duties.

Later at the police pod, we were joined by little Esmè, just one year old and already keeping her dad on his toes. She gave our stickers her full approval (and a taste test too!).

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by for a chat. It means a lot to hear that our presence in the area continues to make a difference. Whether it’s answering your questions, sharing a smile, or simply being visible, we’re here every day.

From all of us on the neighbourhood team: stay safe, enjoy the weekend, and don’t hesitate to say hello if you see us out and about.

Help us keep Sussex safe

If you saw or heard anything, or have any information about any incident in this message please contact us online, or call 101, quoting the reference number provided.

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

You can also visit our website at www.sussex.police.uk where you can find our easy to use online forms to report all non-emergencies to us.

On our website you can also find police advice to keep you safe and help you understand the law, and also browse our crime prevention pages for first-hand knowledge, industry best practices and practical crime prevention advice from officers and specialist teams all across the police.

Have you ever had a policing question that doesn't actually require direct police involvement to answer?

Ask the Police is a great online source of information for the most frequently asked policing questions, visit www.askthe.police.uk/ for more information.

Your local teams

What's happening in your area?

Get the latest crime statistics and advice, help us with appeals for information and find out what we’re doing to tackle crime in your area online here.