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Local News November |
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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. 🔴 Ensure Key Safe codes are regularly changed.
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.
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 Fraud Newsletter November 2025 | Surrey Police to Stay alert and protect yourself online.
This week, local Neighbourhood Officers were in Rye conducting high-visibility patrols as part of our commitment to keeping the community safe and connected. These patrols give us valuable opportunities to speak with residents and shoppers, listen to concerns, and provide reassurance. They also help us understand what matters most to you, so we can address issues promptly. We’re pleased to report that no problems were raised during our patrol. However, if you experience crime or anti-social behaviour, please let us know. You can report non-emergencies via www.sussex.police.uk or by calling 101. For emergencies or if a crime is in progress, always dial 999. If we know about it, we can deal with it, your information helps us keep Rye safe
As Neighbourhood Youth Officers, we know how important it is to share vital information with young people. This week, we delivered sessions to Year 9 students at St Richard’s and Year 11 students at The Workplace, focusing on a critical topic: knife crime. We discussed the law, police powers, prohibited weapons, and the dangers of carrying knives. One key point we highlighted was the myth that knives provide protection, when in reality, carrying a knife can increase the risk of harm. Thank you to the students for being so engaged and asking thoughtful questions, which showed a genuine interest in the discussion.
Visible, Accessible, Here for You The #Bexhill Town Pod is now in place, right at the heart of the community in Devonshire Square. We’re currently making sure it’s fully equipped with everything officers need to operate effectively. Its central location means we can be easily accessible, whether that’s offering advice, sharing safety information, or responding quickly to any concerns about crime or anti-social behaviour. Patrols across the town will continue as usual, so the pod won’t have fixed opening times. Our presence will depend on local demand and operational priorities. Whenever you see us, whether we’re out on foot or based at the pod, please feel free to stop and say hello. We’re here to listen, offer guidance, and work together to keep Bexhill safe. If you would like to report a crime, please call 101 or email us at www.sussex.police.uk In an emergency or crime in progress, please call 999
Our regular patrols around Bexhill town give us the chance to connect with local people and shop staff. These conversations are invaluable, and it’s a great opportunity for the public to share any concerns, and they help us understand what’s happening in our community. We’re here to listen, offer reassurance, and take swift, robust action when issues arise. A big thank you to everyone who stopped to chat with us today. Despite the bitter cold, the sunshine made it a great day to be out on patrol, and yes, that coffee break was very welcome! Your feedback and engagement make a real difference. Together, we can keep Bexhill safe and vibrant.
Relaunching DISC: Working Together to Tackle Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour A prolific shoplifter, Ben Quay, was recently arrested and charged with multiple outstanding offences thanks to intelligence gathered through DISC.
We’re relaunching the DISC system in Rother, a secure platform that enables businesses, police, and local authorities to share intelligence, report incidents, and stay informed. Why DISC matters: Whether you’re a shop owner, security staff, or council officer, DISC helps us work smarter and safer by creating a joined-up approach to tackling crime and ASB. Already signed up. Log in today. Inspector Simon Whitehead said: We’ve seen how effective DISC can be when it’s used consistently. This relaunch is about getting back to that, making sure everyone knows how to use it, feels confident doing so, and sees the value in sharing what they know.” Businesses are encouraged to log in daily, report incidents, and share updates.
Yesterday, PCSO Holter delivered an informative talk on heritage crime to members of Bexhill Heritage and St Barnabas Church. It was a valuable opportunity, as the last session took place some time ago. Protecting our heritage is vital for both current and future generations. PCSO Holter works hard to ensure this message is heard and to strengthen collaboration between local organisations and the police in safeguarding historic sites. The discussion covered examples such as church crime, illicit metal detecting, and theft or damage to historic buildings and monuments. Engaging with the community in this way helps raise awareness and ensures people know how to report concerns to us. Working in partnership is key to preventing heritage crime and preserving the rich history of our area Thank you to everyone who attended.
Rother Police Launch Operation Winter of Action Rother Police are stepping up efforts alongside our daily patrols to keep communities safe during the festive season as part of Operation Winter of Action, a Sussex-wide initiative tackling crime and ASB during the festive period. In the coming weeks, additional officers will conduct high-visibility patrols across Bexhill Town Centre and retail areas. Our priority is to prevent and disrupt shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, while reassuring businesses, residents, and shoppers that we are committed to protecting our communities and responding robustly to any issues. Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Simon Whitehead said: Rother Police encourage businesses to use the DISC platform to share intelligence quickly and securely and businesses and the public or to call police immediately on 999 in and emergency or crime in progress.
Bexhill officers continue to carry out daily and evening patrols to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour head-on. On Friday, during one of our patrols, PC Young responded swiftly to an incident where a man was shouting and swearing at members of the public, even confronting one individual with threats of violence. PC Young immediately intervened and arrested the male for Section 4 Public Order. The man then attempted to resist arrest, but following a brief struggle, he was safely restrained and handcuffed with assistance from the member of the public who had just been threatened. The male has now been charged to court for both offences. Our officers will continue to take robust action and maintain a zero-tolerance approach toward anyone committing criminal offences or causing harm in our communities. We would like to thank the member of the public who stepped in to assist. While we always advise the public not to put themselves in danger, we greatly appreciate those who support officers when needed.
Last week, we had the privilege of visiting the Bexhill College career fair to speak with students about the wide range of career opportunities within Sussex Police. Choosing a career path can feel daunting, so we were pleased to provide insight into the many roles available and answer questions about what policing involves. Over 100 students stopped by to chat with us, and it was fantastic to see such enthusiasm for a challenging yet highly rewarding profession. We discussed the variety of roles within policing, from Police Constable to specialist teams such as the Dog Unit, Firearms, and Crime Scene Investigation, along with the recruitment process and the benefits of joining Sussex Police. We hope we inspired many to consider a future with us. If you’re thinking about a career in policing, visit our website for more information:
Rother Neighbourhood Officers were out on patrol in Battle Town today, engaging with local businesses, shoppers, and residents. We visited several shops and were pleased to hear that there have been no recent incidents of concern. During our conversations, we highlighted the importance of reporting any issues as soon as they occur. Prompt reporting helps us gather evidence at the time, strengthening the case for prosecution and enabling us to respond effectively. When we know about problems, we can allocate resources and take action quickly. We remain committed to a robust approach and will continue to maintain a zero-tolerance stance toward anyone committing criminal offences or anti-social behaviour. To report anti-social behaviour or a crime, visit www.sussex.police.uk or call 101.
Connecting with our communities is at the heart of neighbourhood policing. Meeting and chatting with those who live, and work locally gives us the chance to listen, understand concerns, and offer reassurance. During recent patrols in Bexhill Town and Ravenside, we had some great conversations with shoppers, residents, and business staff. It was encouraging to hear so much positivity as we head into the Christmas season. We know we can’t be everywhere, but our daily and evening patrols are designed to provide visible support where it matters most. Many people have told us how much they value seeing officers out and about, it helps them feel safer and more supported. We remain committed to maintaining visible patrols and tackling crime and anti-social behaviour robustly, ensuring that anyone who seeks to disrupt our community is held accountable. Thank you to everyone who took the time to stop and speak with us. Your feedback helps us focus on what matters most to you.
Officers carried out visible patrols across Bexhill during both the daytime and evening as part of our ongoing efforts to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour during the festive period. These patrols are designed to provide reassurance, deter crime, and an opportunity to talk with our community. Despite the blustery weather, it was great to chat with so many people and local businesses. Patrols will continue under Operation Safer Winter to ensure everyone can enjoy the season safely. If you have a concern or issues, please let us know via our website www.sussex.police.uk or call 101. In an emergency or crime in progress, please call 999.
Roads Policing Unit in Sidley last night following reports of anti-social driving. The manner of riding altered the officer to this bike. This bike was stopped and seized under Section 165, no CBT, and no L plates. Rider issued a Traffic Offence Report for riding otherwise than in accordance with a licence. What is Section 165? Always ensure you have valid insurance and carry proof when driving. It’s about keeping roads safe. | ||
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