Local News November

This past weekend, officers made 23 arrests across Hastings & Rother as part of our ongoing commitment to tackle crime. These arrests included:

Our Operation Winter of Action is now in full swing, following on from SaferStreetsSummer. This operation focuses on #HotSpotPolicing, meaning you’ll see officers out and about every day in the areas where crime and anti-social behaviour are most likely to occur.

We want to reassure you that we are taking a robust approach to those who commit offences, while working hard to protect local people and businesses. High visibility patrols are designed to deter crime and provide reassurance.

If you see us in town, please feel free to speak to our officers. We’re here to listen, support, and keep our community safe.

Burglary can have a big impact on your wellbeing and sense of safety. 

While we can’t be everywhere, you can help protect your home. Most burglars look for easy opportunities, like unlocked doors or open windows. A few simple steps and smart thinking can make all the difference.

With Christmas approaching and gifts being bought, keep them out of sight of windows to avoid attracting attention.
🔴 Lock your doors when you’re at home and when you go out
🔴 Consider an alarm and/or CCTV

🔴 Ensure Key Safe codes are regularly changed.
🔴 Keep windows shut or fit restrictors; good locks make all the difference
🔴 Use timer switches when you’re away
🔴 Hide valuables, including car keys, out of sight and away from the letterbox

Sheds / Garages / Outbuildings 

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

👮‍♂️ Crime Prevention Tips: 

• Use robust security padlocks or deadlocks on doors, consider a surface mounted garage door lock. 

• Fit an alarm system, motion sensor lighting and/ or CCTV

• Keep expensive items secured inside using lockable cabinets, ground anchors, or chains.

• Consider trackers for high value machinery.

• Avoid leaving tools or ladders outside - they can be used to gain access to your property. 

• Mark valuable items with your postcode using a UV pen or property marking system. DNA marking kits can be collected from Hastings or Battle Police stations free of charge. 

• Register valuable equipment at https://orlo.uk/wsg5o to help police return stolen items if recovered. 

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

See or hear anything suspicious, call 101, for crime in progress, call 999 immediately.

 

Ever had someone at your door saying, "We’re working nearby and noticed a loose tile on your roof; we're offering a special price if you agree today; I’ve just completed a job for your neighbour; and we have leftover materials"? 

These could be distraction burglars or bogus callers. They aim to mislead or distract you to gain entry or charge exorbitant prices for "repairs."

Rogue traders often offer home and garden repairs, overcharging victims and delivering substandard work. If a workman suggests repairs, inform them you'll obtain quotes from other companies and get back to them. Never agree to buy anything at the door, and don't let anyone into your home unless you are certain they represent a legitimate business.

Remember:

🔒 LOCK ALL DOORS: Pairs of distraction burglars may use the back door while you are occupied at the front.

⛔ NOT SURE? DON'T OPEN THE DOOR: It's okay to say NO and ask them to leave. Keep the chain on if you need to open the door. Avoid engaging with cold-calling traders and never feel pressured to agree.

👀 ASK FOR ID/PASSWORD: Bogus callers may use fake IDs. Genuine callers won't mind if you verify their identity by contacting their employer. Use a pre-set password if available.

🤔 COMMON EXCUSES: Energy suppliers, waterboard or council access, plain clothes police officers, lost dogs, balls, telephone calls, or water requests, and unsolicited repair notices.

🚔 WHAT TO DO: If an unknown caller makes you feel threatened, call 999. Report doorstep criminals by calling 101.

Elderly and vulnerable individuals, who are more trusting and often frail, are primary targets, so please share this message, and if possible, look out for your neighbours.

#StopKnifeCrime – Busting the Myths

Carrying a knife isn’t common or safe. 99% of young people in the UK don’t carry one. Thinking it will protect you is a myth, statistics show you’re more likely to get hurt, even by your own weapon. It’s also illegal.

Carrying a knife doesn’t earn respect; it puts you, your friends, and family at risk.

Know the consequences:

Walking away might feel hard, but it’s the safest choice.

For advice, real stories, and support, visit Fearless.

#Sceptre

Violence Towards Anyone Is Unacceptable 

In support of White Ribbon Day, Sergeant McNab attended Rye Fire Station to stand alongside our emergency services colleagues and Hastings borough councillors to sign the pledge to end violence, particularly violence against women and girls.

White Ribbon Day is a global movement that calls on everyone to take a stand against gender-based violence. By signing the pledge, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in our communities and working together to prevent harm.

Serious and violent crime can affect anyone, and support is available for everyone. If you ever feel unsafe or witness concerning behaviour, please report it to us immediately.

Together, we can make our communities safer for everyone

As Christmas season approaches, online shopping for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals becomes popular, it’s also a prime time for fraudsters to target unsuspecting buyers and sellers. Every year, thousands fall victim to scams, losing millions in the run-up to Christmas. Read our November Fraud Newsletter here ….. to Stay alert and protect yourself online. 

Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak with us during a very cold evening outside the Hastings Pod. Your input is invaluable in helping us make Hastings a safer place for everyone.

We had some great conversations about what makes people feel safe when out and about. Many women and girls shared their experiences, and we discussed practical steps to help them feel safer, including advice and personal safety devices such as alarms.

We also raised awareness around drink spiking and provided protective items like bottle and glass covers to help reduce risk when enjoying a night out. In addition, we spoke about the StreetSafe tool and how, by working with our partners, we can improve lighting and make public spaces feel safer and more welcoming.

Rocco had his moment in the spotlight, getting to sit in the police car with the lights and sirens blaring!

We’ve received several reports of dangerous driving on Harold Road.
Due to ongoing works to replace water pipes, Harold Road is currently closed, and traffic management measures are in place. Unfortunately, some drivers have been removing barriers and driving on the pavement to bypass the closure.

This behaviour is extremely dangerous, one witness reported that a vehicle narrowly missed a mother and child in a pram. 

Driving on a footpath is an offence under Section 34 of the Road Traffic Act, and advance warning signs are in place to alert drivers to the closure.

Please plan your journey carefully and follow the signage provided. We have asked the contractor to reinforce the barriers and report any breaches to us for enforcement action. The contractor advises that the road should reopen by Thursday, 27 November.

On Monday, we had a lovely interaction with a young person and their guardian outside the station.

We noticed the young lad showing excitement and interest in our vehicles and police activity, so we took the opportunity to chat. He was very shy and lives with non-verbal autism, but his guardian shared that he has always had a positive view of policing, thanks to a previous experience where officers helped him during an incident.

Although he didn’t want to sit in the car, we were pleased to show him some of our equipment and answer questions.

These moments matter—they help build trust and positive connections within our community.

If you or someone you know would like to meet us, have a look at a police car, or even take a photo, please come and say hello to your local PCSOs. We’re always happy to make time for you.

This week, local Neighbourhood Officers attended the Careers Fair at Hastings Academy, speaking with over 500 enthusiastic students from Years 7–10.

It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the wide range of roles within policing, from Response Officers and Detectives to PCSOs and Digital Forensics specialists.

We were impressed by the students’ curiosity and ambition, with many expressing a real interest in joining the police. A few even shared stories about relatives already serving, which was great to hear. And for those wondering about the salary, let’s just say the passion for policing clearly outweighs the pay packet!

It’s inspiring to see young people from all backgrounds considering a future in policing. We look forward to supporting them on that journey and continuing to build strong connections with our communities.

Last week, our Neighbourhood Policing Team had the pleasure of visiting St Paul’s CE Academy to engage with young people at their after-school club.

We spent time talking about road safety, helping the children understand the dangers of the road and how to cross safely. Key messages included:

The children were enthusiastic and eager to learn how to keep themselves safe.

To make the session fun and interactive, we brought along word searches, colouring sheets, and spot-the-difference activities, all themed around traffic and crossing the road.

A big thank you to @StPauls for inviting us – it was fantastic to see the pupils so engaged in learning about safety in their community.

Last week, we were delighted to visit West St Leonards Primary Academy.
We spoke with Year 6 pupils, parents, and governors about the important topic of online safety.

The Year 6 pupils were fantastic, really engaged when discussing the positives and negatives of social media. There were a few groans when they learned that all social media platforms have a minimum age of 13! We also explored how the internet works and why it’s almost impossible to remove posts or information once they’ve been shared.

With the growing use of social media among under-13s, we shared some top tips and introduced the “Nan Test”:

And the Nan Test? Simple: if your Nan (or someone else’s Nan) would be upset by your post, don’t post it! One pupil summed it up perfectly:
“If you have nothing kind to say, don’t say anything at all.”

A big thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the session so positive!

During #HotSpotPolicing patrols in Hastings Town Centre, officers identified a woman who was wanted in connection with multiple shoplifting offences.

Frances Boyd, 32, of Stonehouse Drive, St Leonards, was arrested and later charged with theft offences and possession of an offensive weapon.

She appeared at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 24 November and was granted conditional bail by the court. The case was adjourned until the next hearing at the same court on 2 February 2026.