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Friday 17th April 2026 Sussex Alerts - Eastbourne Police Dear Residents, Please find below the latetst Sussex Alerts from Eastbourne Police. Operation Downsway
Already this month several deployments have taken place across the town as part of our annual Operation Downsway education and enforcement campaign, including King Edwards Parade, an area frequently reported by residents for excess speeding and anti‑social driving.
Over the coming months residents can expect to see an increased police presence on the roads of the district as we continue to both enforce and educate drivers around the ‘fatal 5’ driving offences; excess speed, not wearing a seatbelt, driving distractions ie: using your mobile or a hand-held device, drink and drug driving, and careless and inconsiderate driving.
The aim of the operation is to help in:
-Reducing the number of people who are killed or seriously injured on the roads of East Sussex
-Reducing the number of reported incidents of anti-social driving
-Increasing public confidence in local policing through increased visibility and patrols
-Targeting those individuals who are prepared to drive on the roads in an anti-social or irresponsible manner.
Working together our Roads Policing Teams, the Fatal Five Unit, and alongside partners including Community Speed Watch groups, officers will provide a high visibility presence across our road network to make sure law-abiding road users including drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists can do so with confidence and in safety.
The campaign will include regular speed checks and will target anti-social driving and riding and is in addition to checks and activities all year round.
We continue to encourage residents to alert us to road safety issues that are impacting their communities, and report incidents to us at the time.  | |
A prolific shoplifter is behind bars following a targeted crackdown on retail crime in Eastbourne
The 30yo male, from Eastbourne, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after admitting 13 shoplifting offences. A further 27 offences were also taken into consideration.
His crimes targeted a number of stores, including the Co-op, Morrisons and Hobbycraft, stealing items such as steaks, chocolate and model kits worth hundreds of pounds.
The sentence follows work under Operation Apprentice, which focuses on identifying and pursuing the most persistent offenders.
Shop theft is not a victimless crime – it has a real impact on businesses and shopworkers, who can face abuse and intimidation.
In the past year, we’ve also secured 10 Criminal Behaviour Orders across Eastbourne, with some offenders now subject to GPS tagging. Since their introduction, offending has significantly reduced.
We’ll continue to target those causing the most harm and bring them before the courts.
Report crime online or call 101. In an emergency, always call 999. More details on this case here.
Over £19 million lost to investment fraud in Sussex last year
Victims of investment fraud in Sussex lost over £19 million pounds to scammers in 2025. Across the UK losses were over £879 million.
According to Report Fraud, 34,673 people across the UK reported investment fraud last year, 31% more than 2024, with victims losing on average over £25,000 each.
Investment fraud remains one of the highest by volume reported in Sussex with around 662 of the UK-wide reports were from Sussex-based victims losing a total of £19,170,220.
Hear from PC Lawrie from our Operation Signature Team on what we're doing asa Force to safeguard communities, and what steps you can take to protect you and those around you from becoming a victim online here.
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 | 
