October updates

PCSO MONTHLY WARD UPDATE

Welcome to your monthly Hangleton & Knoll Ward update by Beat PCSO Sharon Baker

Ward Priorities: Youths pressing buzzers and knocking windows, Speeding vehicles, vehicles blocking driveways.

Ward Update 

Currently some key concerns in the area include:  male looking through the window, shoplifting, kids causing ASB which include knocking on windows and buzzers, motorbikes found dumped in the woods, speeding vehicles, road rage and stolen vehicles.

Police have received a couple of reports of a male looking into residents windows, there is no explanation for this and it is unknown whether this was for a genuine reason and was logged as suspicious behaviour.  Unfortunately there was no footage of this male.   Ring Doorbells are very useful in gathering images of unwanted visitors and can assist the Police with valuable descriptions etc.

Half term was a good week in relation to no reports about youth anti-social behaviour, although previous to this we had received information of some young children ringing buzzers and knocking on windows.  This has alarmed those residents involved and continued issues with the same culprits will be treated as harassment.  Good descriptions, images etc can help us to progress this type of ASB and identify those involved.

Our area includes some well known wooded locations and these are being used to dump stolen motorbikes/mopeds.  If you are out and about and see someone with one of these in that area, please give the Police a call (as it is happening if possible) so we can get Officers to the area and possibly find those responsible and recover the vehicles. 

Some of our roads suffer regularly with speeding vehicles, not only is this illegal but put’s residents and visitors at risk.  We are now into the darker nights which is a further hazard, so also keep your eyes open for cyclists without lights and wearing dark clothing.  We will be conducting some high visibility patrols to tackle this issue and deploying our ‘Speed Indicating Device’ and also issuing fixed penalty notices to those cycling without lights / giving advice to those that have lights that are not turned on.

The Council run various events around the Brighton area giving advice and free equipment for cyclists to keep them compliant and safe when out in the dark. 

Incidents of note / Any other business

Police have recently received a couple of reports of theft, these relate to residents selling items on well known social media sites – The exchange of goods have gone ahead, but monies have failed to hit the sellers bank.  These incidents are ‘civil’ and great care should be taken when selling items in this way.

A school child was bitten by a dog whilst walking to school, although the bite had not broken the skin, the child involved was naturally very upset.  Please keep your dogs on a short leash wherever possible whilst passing other members of public.

Crime Prevention Advice

The clocks have now gone back and we are experiencing darker evenings.  As per my advice last month, automatic light switches can be a good deterrent should you not be at home, another thing you can do is maybe leave a radio turned on etc.  Security lighting, cctv, Ring Doorbells, burglar alarms can also help.  Remember not to post on social media should you be away from home. 

For the month of October Police have received 4 reports of burglaries, this is in line with the figures for this time last year.  December last year we had high reports of burglaries, so please bear this in mind when securing your property.  Entry is mostly gained around the rear of properties, this is because it is out of sight from anyone passing by and believed to occur in the early hours of the morning.   Money and jewellery predominantly taken.   If you hear any unusual noises from your neighbours property, please check and call if necessary.  Other crime figures for October were lower than the previous month, which is good news.

Community Meetings & Ward Days

Wednesday 12th November – Hangleton & Knoll Community AGM – 10:30-12:00hrs, St Richards Hall, Egmont Road, Hangleton, Hove.

Ward Days

Monday 17th November 2025 – 11am – 12pm at St Richards, Egmont Road, Hangleton, Hove.

Monday 15th December 2025 – 3pm – 4pm at St Richards, Egmont Road, Hangleton, Hove.

Wednesday 21st January 2026 – 5.30pm – 6.30pm at St Richards, Egmont Road, Hangleton, Hove.

I will be patrolling the area and talking with local businesses, residents and patrolling the area on foot.  I aim to be in my office at St Richards Church Hall at the times listed above should anyone wish to drop in and speak with me.  Alternatively, if you wish to make an appointment to see me in private, please do not hesitate to contact me on sharon.baker@sussex.police.uk.  Please note this email address is not for reporting crimes/asb, these should be reported in the usual way, either 101 non emergency, or 999 in an emergency.