Sussex Alerts - Lewes and Seahaven Police

Friday 30th January 2026

Sussex Alerts - Lewes and Seahaven Police

Dear residents, 

Please find below this week's Sussex Alerts for Lewes and Seahaven Police.

Stolen vehicle recovered in Chailey

Whilst on patrol earlier this week, officers spotted a vehicle lurking in the darkness at the very back of an unlit car park in Chailey.

Looking rather odd on it's own, and almost tucked away; officers trusted their instincts and went to take a closer look, with their torches out officer checked the details through our police system, transpires the registration didn’t match the vehicle it was attached to, and further enquiries confirmed the vehicle had recently been reported stolen.

The van was recovered and will now be examined for forensics and lines of enquiry, so that officers can look to identify whoever believed a dark corner was somewhere police wouldn’t look for stolen vehicle.

Pedestrian in life-threatening condition following Peacehaven collision

A pedestrian is in a life-threatening condition following a collision in Peacehaven.

On Thursday, 22 January, just before 5pm, a 67-year-old local man was reported to have been crossing the A259 South Coast Road, near to the junction of Keymer Avenue, when he was hit by a black Citroën C-Crosser travelling eastbound.

The road was closed while emergency services worked at the scene, and the man was taken to hospital with significant injuries.

Officers are carrying out enquiries in the area, including capturing any relevant footage and identifying anyone who witnessed what happened.

As we continue to work to establish the circumstances, we ask anyone who feels they have information to report to contact police.

You can do this by emailing collision.appeal@sussex.police.uk, or by calling 101 quoting Operation Burnley.

Patrol snapshot Wallands Park and Ousedale area

Over the last few months, your local ward PCSO has carried out over 50 hours of patrols across the ward at varying times of the day and night.

On average, this includes two targeted 60 minute patrols per shift, allowing us to identify individuals linked to recently reported crime and maintain a consistent presence that helps disrupt and prevent further incidents of crime or ASB.

These patrols are aimed at providing reassurance to local residents, deterring and identifying individuals involved in crime or anti-social behaviour, and enabling officers to gather valuable community intelligence that supports our ongoing work to help ensure your town remains a safe place for everyone.

If you see us out on patrol, please do stop and speak to us, your information and reports help shape our policing priorities.

Wet weather driving advice

Although conditions have improved since earlier in the week, further rain is expected, so now is a good time to revisit some key road‑safety advice. Already this week officers have sadly attended several road traffic collisions and repsonded to reports of broken‑down vehicles across the area, highlighting how quickly wet weather can catch drivers out.

Rain reduces visibility and grip, and surface water can build up with little warning, so taking extra care is essential, a few important points to remember:

•avoid driving through flood water if you can’t judge its depth.
•never attempt to cross fast‑flowing water.
•travel slowly through standing water and gently test your brakes afterwards.
•if your vehicle stalls in water, do not try to restart it.

With more unsettled weather on the way, a little caution now can help keep everyone safe on the roads.

Meet your local policing team events February

•Monday 9th from 1100-1300 at The Mercread Youth Centre, Seaford

•Tuesday 10th from 1100–1200, outside Waterstones, Lewes Town Centre

•Tuesday 17th from 0930-1030 at The Hillcrest Community Centre, Bay Vue Road, Newhaven

•Tuesday 17th form 1000-1100 at Ditchling Pavilion Sports Club, Lewes Road, Hassocks

•Tuesday 17th from 1500–1600, outside Tesco Supermarket, Lewes

•Thursday 19th from 1430-1530 in the Pavillion on St. Pancras Green, Kingston Village

•Sunday 22nd from 1000-1200 at the entrance to Chatsworth Park, ‘Wander Coffee' end, Telscombe Cliffs

•Tuesday 24th from 1600-1700 at Anchor Field Car Park, Ringmer

•Wednesday 25th from 1100–1200, outside Nevill Stores, Mount Harry Road, Nevill

Obtain crime prevention advice, meet your local policing team officers, ask questions, and share your concerns, as well as an opportunity to discuss and hear first-hand how we’re tackling issues in your neighbourhood.

Contact us 24/7, 365 online, or by calling 101 (non-emergencies), call 999 in an emergency.

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 have a hearing or speech impairment, or other forms of communication difficulties.

Those with textphone can text 18001 101, or BSL users can use SignVideo to provide a Video Relay Service (here: https://signvideo.co.uk/), to report crime through a live online interpreter, who will contact the police on your behalf, when you do not require an urgent response.

In an emergency when life is threatened or there is immediate danger please use the textphone service 18000 or text us on 999.

BSL users can call 999 BSL (here: https://999bsl.co.uk/)  to use a British Sign Language interpreter.

For more information on textphone and Relay UK, including help setting up the Relay APP please visit: https://www.relayuk.bt.com/how-to-use-relay-uk/contact-999-using-relay-uk.html