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Local News Hastings - March edition. |
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Protect Your Home Burglary can have a real impact on your wellbeing and sense of safety. While we can’t be on every street at all times, your vigilance and simple security steps can make a big difference in keeping you, your home, and your neighbours safe. Top 3 Tips to Stay Secure 🔐 Lock up and stay secure 👪 Make your home look lived‑in 🎁 Keep valuables out of sight We’re Here to Help, But We Need Your Eyes and Ears Too If you see or hear anything suspicious, no matter how small it may seem, unusual activity, unknown vehicles, someone trying door handles, please report it to us right away. A few minutes spent securing your home, and one quick call if something doesn’t feel right, can make all the difference.
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 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.
A Friendly Reminder for Dog Walkers Thank you for helping keep our countryside safe and enjoyable for everyone, including the newest arrivals in the fields this spring.
🚓 Top Tips to Stop Vehicle Break‑Ins As your local neighbourhood policing team, we want to help you keep your vehicle, and your belongings safe. Most vehicle break‑ins are opportunistic, and small changes can make a big difference. Here are our five top tips: 1. Always lock your vehicle Even if you’re parking on your driveway, outside your home, or only leaving the car for a moment, make sure all doors, windows and the boot are locked. Offenders will try door handles looking for an easy opportunity. 2. Remove valuables, or anything that looks valuable Never leave items such as wallets, handbags, laptops, phones, tools or shopping bags in you vehicle or on display. Even a coat or empty bag can make a criminal think there’s something worth stealing inside. 3. Keep keys safe and away from doors or windows Keyless entry vehicles are particularly vulnerable. Store keys well away from the front door and consider using a signal‑blocking pouch (Faraday pouch) to prevent relay theft. 4. Park smart Choose well‑lit, busy areas whenever possible. If you have a driveway, consider using outdoor lighting or CCTV as a deterrent. Criminals prefer dark, quiet spots where they won’t be seen. 5. Don’t leave your vehicle running unattended If you’re defrosting your car or popping back into the house, switch the engine off, take the keys with you and lock the vehicle. Many thefts happen while vehicles are left running, even for a few seconds. If you see anything suspicious, please report it to us straight away on 101.
Drink or Drug Driving? It’s NEVER worth it. ✅ Plan ahead, book a taxi or arrange a lift. Your choice. Your responsibility. Don’t risk it.
🌼The daffs are out – spring is officially here! Before you rev off into the sunshine, give your bike a little TLC, especially if it’s been sitting out the colder months. A few quick checks now can make sure your first ride of the season is a safe and enjoyable one: 🔧Pre‑ride check‑in: Even when the sun’s shining, remember to ride to the weather and road conditions. Months of rain have left many roads in a sorry state (yes… potholes, we’re looking at you!). And those early mornings can still bring unexpected frost or icy patches, so stay sharp. 👀And for all other road users: Let’s make this spring a safe one for everyone on the road. 🌼🏍️ Stay alert, stay safe, and enjoy the ride! If you want to refresh and recharge your bike skills, we can help! BikeSafe is a practical workshop delivered by police forces across the UK. Check out the website to find your nearest provider and book: BikeSafe - the UK's #1 police-led motorcycle safety & skills initiative RoSPA have motorbike safety courses too: RoSPA- Motorcycle Training Course | RoSPA Advanced Rider Safety Training and also the Institute of Advanced Motorists For Individuals | IAM RoadSmart
Officers across Hastings and Rother were kept busy over the weekend (13/03), with more than 29 arrests made. Additional arrests included: Officers also made further arrests for a range of other offences, including driving without a valid licence, drunk and disorderly behaviour, harassment, and a breach of a non‑molestation order.
Weekend Arrest Summary - Hastings & Rother Policing Update – 27 March Across Hastings and Rother, our officers remain fully committed to protecting the public, reducing harm, and keeping our communities safe. On Friday, officers in Hastings town centre made five arrests for offences including theft, shoplifting and wanted on warrant. Thanks to proactive patrols and quick responses, suspects were detained promptly to prevent further incidents. Across the rest of the weekend, with crime levels slightly lower, officers made a total of 21 arrests for a range of offences, including but not limited to: Our officers continue to work around the clock to safeguard victims, target offenders, and maintain high‑visibility policing across Hastings and Rother. We remain dedicated to ensuring our towns are safe places to live, work, and visit.
We had a positive and engaging event at Hastings United Football Club, where officers were able to speak with those attending the local match about important community safety issues. Violence against anyone is unacceptable, and we welcomed the opportunity to have open conversations about safety, particularly the safety of women and girls (VAWG), and how we continue to work alongside our partner agencies to protect our communities. We were pleased to be joined by the Hastings Joint Action Group, who kindly provided funding for personal safety alarms and anti‑spiking drink lids, which we were able to hand out during the event. Thank you to everyone who took the time to stop and speak with us. Tackling violence remains a priority, and we want our communities to know that any form of violence will be addressed robustly. We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels safe and supported.
The Neighbourhood Policing Team has been carrying out regular speed checks along Harley Shute Road following concerns raised by local residents about vehicles travelling at excessive speeds. Using our speed indicator device, our primary aim is to educate drivers on the dangers of speeding, particularly in built‑up residential areas. Harley Shute Road is home to two schools, meaning higher footfall, children crossing, and an increased level of risk. Even a small increase in speed can significantly reduce a driver’s ability to react in time, putting lives in danger. During our checks, two vehicles were found exceeding the speed limit. Both drivers were stopped, and words of advice were given at the roadside to reinforce the importance of safe and considerate driving. If you are concerned about speeding in your community, please consider joining a Community Speed Watch group if one is available here - Community Speedwatch Online Last week, officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team visited Royal Terrace Retirement Housing to chat with residents. During the visit, they spoke about scams, personal safety, and practical steps residents can take to stay safe. There were lots of questions, which was a great way to lead into more in-depth safety advice. As part of our ongoing commitment to protecting vulnerable members of the community, we also provided scam awareness booklets and personal safety alarms to help residents feel more confident and reassured. Neighbourhood policing is about building strong relationships within our communities, and opportunities like this allow us to share advice, listen to concerns, and work together to prevent crime. A big thank you to the management team at Royal Terrace for inviting us. It was great to meet everyone.
Who doesn’t love a bunny rabbit? 🐰 With Easter hopping ever closer, your Neighbourhood Policing Team couldn't resist stopping by Priory Meadow during routine patrol to say hello to the newest, and easily the fluffiest, addition sitting proudly in the centre of the shopping area. While we may have paused for a quick photo with our long‑eared friend, rest assured we were also on hand to deal with any anti-social behaviour or criminal activity. As always, chatting with local shoppers, and businesses, offering reassurance, and keeping our community safe is all part of the job!
We joined partners from Hastings Borough Council, East Sussex County Council, Youth Services, East Sussex Fire & Rescue, Energise Sussex Coast, local housing associations and others at The Good Future event held at the Old Observer Building in Hastings last week. It was a great opportunity to meet those attending and speak with residents of all ages. Alongside many of our partners, we heard about the proposed redevelopment of Hastings Town Centre and listened to what people would like to see for the future of the town. As neighbourhood policing teams, events like this help us stay connected with our communities and ensure we continue to support plans that aim to make Hastings a safer, more accessible, and welcoming place for everyone.
🌼 Easter Fun in the Community! 🌼 With Easter just around the corner, we’re pleased to highlight the activities taking place at The Education Futures Trust (EFT) at The Firs on Elphinstone Road. They have a great range of family sessions and holiday events planned, a brilliant way to keep young people active, engaged, and supported during the Easter break. To find out more about what’s on offer and how to enrol, please visit their website:
Road safety at Robsack Primary School This week, our neighbourhood policing team visited Robsack Primary School to speak with pupils in Years 2, 3 and 5 about road safety and how to keep themselves safe when out and about. We know how important it is for young children to understand the dangers of the road, from crossing safely, to staying visible, and recognising how unpredictable traffic can be. The sessions covered simple, practical advice such as stopping at kerbs, looking and listening carefully, using crossings properly, and avoiding distractions like headphones or mobile devices. The pupils were enthusiastic, asked plenty of thoughtful questions, and showed a great awareness of how to stay safe. A big thank‑you to Robsack Primary School for having us. It’s always a pleasure working with our local schools to help keep young people safe in the community.
We headed over to Sandown Primary School, to join local businesses for a Careers Fair. Our mission? To chat with the youngsters about all the exciting things they could become when they’re ready, police officers included, of course! The fair gave every child in the school the chance to talk directly with people working in different jobs and find out what those roles are really like. We brought along some of our favourite kit, police hats and bits of uniform, which the students from Years 1–6 absolutely loved trying on! The questions were just as entertaining. The younger ones wanted to know the really important stuff (“Do you eat loads of donuts?" We’ll let you guess our answer), while the older students were keen to hear about our most exciting moments on the job. All in all, it was a great day, full of curiosity, laughter, and maybe, just maybe, a few future officers in the making!
On Monday, we were out and about on our daily patrols around St Leonards, chatting with residents and local businesses. Many of you told us how reassuring it is to see officers on foot and working on the concerns you’ve raised. After walking through Central St Leonards, Kings Road and Warrior Square, we continued along the seafront, stopping at Goat Ledge to speak with visitors and local people. We’re also working closely with partner agencies to address anti-social behaviour and speaking with the local street community, offering advice and signposting to charities who can help. Our patrols will continue throughout the day and evening, please feel free to stop and talk to us anytime. If you see or hear anything suspicious, contact us online at www.sussex.police.uk or call 101.
Old Town Patrols Our neighbourhood policing team was out on foot in Old Town over the weekend, speaking with local residents, shoppers, and businesses. Regular patrols like these help us stay connected with the community and keep a visible presence in the area. With previous reports of shop break‑ins, we took the opportunity to check in with affected businesses and see whether our increased evening and night‑time patrols are making a difference. It was encouraging to hear positive feedback and to see many businesses making good use of our CCTV posters and security advice. Thank you to everyone who took the time to stop and talk with us, these conversations help us understand what’s happening locally. While we’re out on patrol regularly, we can’t be everywhere at once. Your information helps us build a clearer picture of what’s going on, so if you see or hear anything suspicious, please let us know.
Evening Patrols in Hastings Old Town Over the past few evenings, our neighbourhood policing team has been carrying out additional foot patrols throughout Hastings Old Town. These patrols are part of our ongoing commitment to supporting local businesses, residents, and visitors, especially following recent concerns raised in the area. Being out on foot gives us the opportunity to speak directly with shop owners, staff, and people enjoying the Old Town, offering reassurance and making sure everyone feels safe and supported. It also allows us to keep a close eye on key locations at the times they need us most. We’ve checked in with businesses affected by previously reported incidents, listened to their experiences, and made sure they know we’re continuing to maintain a regular presence. It’s been encouraging to see many local premises making use of the crime‑prevention advice and materials we’ve shared. Thank you to everyone who stopped for a chat — these conversations help strengthen our understanding of what’s happening on the ground and ensure we’re focusing our patrols where they’re most effective. While we’re increasing our visibility across Old Town, information from residents and businesses still plays an important part in helping us respond quickly and appropriately. If you see or hear anything that doesn’t feel right, please get in touch.
Foot patrols - St Leonards Last weeks, foot patrols in St Leonards gave us a great chance to connect with residents, shop owners and staff, listening to any concerns we could help with and updating them on the work we’re doing in response to recent reports. We focused on areas flagged for drug‑related activity and were ready to respond to any anti‑social or criminal behaviour. We also engaged with several individuals from the street community, offering clear direction, follow‑up support and working proactively with partner agencies to make sure the right help is in place. We want St Leonards to be a safe and welcoming place for everyone, and we’ll continue with targeted patrols to ensure any ASB or criminal behaviour is dealt with swiftly and firmly.
🚨 E‑BIKE STOP – VEHICLE SEIZED🚨 Officers stopped an e‑bike in the area earlier today after noticing something didn’t look quite right. The rider was travelling at 25mph using the throttle alone, with no pedal input at all. When the bike was examined, its motor power output far exceeded the legal 250‑watt limit for an Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC). For an e‑bike to be classed as an EAPC, it must: ✅ Have a motor no more than 250W This one failed on multiple points, meaning it legally falls under the remit of a motorcycle. That means the rider would need: The rider had none of these. The vehicle was seized under Section 165 and the rider has been summoned to court. We continue to support safe cycling and responsible e‑bike use, but if it’s illegally modified or overpowered, it’s not an e‑bike, it’s a motor vehicle.
Our Neighbourhood Policing Team is committed to working alongside our local communities to keep our roads safe. When we use speed‑monitoring equipment in an area, it’s part of our ongoing work to prevent speeding and remind drivers that road safety is taken seriously. Our visibility in your neighbourhood encourages motorists to think about their speed, and while we can’t be everywhere at once, we can be anywhere. We’ll continue to focus on speeding concerns to help protect the people who live, work, and travel in our communities. A few important notes: If you’re concerned about speeding in your area, you may wish to join or set up a Community Speed Watch group. You can find more information on their website.
Well, done to everyone who took part in last weekend’s half marathon! The sunshine made for a fantastic event, and it was brilliant to see so many runners supporting such worthwhile charities. Thank you to everyone who lined the route, volunteered, or cheered from the side-lines, you helped make the day a real success. From a neighbourhood policing perspective, we work closely with event organisers who carefully plan road closures to ensure disruption is kept to an absolute minimum. Despite those efforts, a small number of drivers chose not to respect the closures and caused difficulties for volunteers and participants. We’ve received details from event marshals, of two drivers, that will be getting a surprise visit from officers. A big thank you once again to the runners, organisers, volunteers, and residents who supported the event so positively.
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