Sussex Alerts - Lewes and Seahaven Police

Friday 17th July 2026

Sussex Alerts - Lewes and Seahaven Police

Dear Residents,

Please find below the latest Sussex Alerts from Lewes and Seahaven Police.

Tackling tool theft in your town

Officers from Lewes Neighbourhood Policing Team invited local traders in Lewes town centre this weekend for a crime prevention event aimed at tackling tool theft following a recent rise in offences across the division.

Funded by the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC), the event offered tradespeople and members of the public the opportunity to obtain a SelectaDNA tool marking kit; the kits also registration on a secure national database accessible by police, helping to deter theft and making it easier to identify and return stolen tools to their rightful owners if recovered.

We know tool theft can have a serious impact on tradespeople, affecting their livelihoods and ability to work; by marking and registering tools, you can help deter thieves and ensure officers can quickly identify and return stolen property to its rightful owner if it is recovered.

Top tips to prevent tool theft:

• Mark and register your tools.
• Property mark tools with your postcode or business name to make them easier to identify.
• Make tools distinctive with coloured paint, engraving or branding to reduce their resale value.
• Always remove tools from vehicles overnight wherever possible and store them securely.
• Keep a record of serial numbers, photographs and descriptions of your equipment, created a database.
• Use additional security measures, such as tool safes, alarms, CCTV and robust vehicle and storage locks.

For more information and advice please visit our Sussex Police website.

ASB and drug use Baxters Field, Lewes

Following reports from residents about anti-social behaviour and drug-related activity in Baxter's Field and the surrounding Paddock Lane area, officers have increased patrols and engagement in the area.

In previous summers, officers have found drug-related debris in the park and, more recently, drug paraphernalia showing signs of burning. As well as causing concern for park users, these items can pose a fire risk during periods of hot, dry weather.

This week, officers spoke with two individuals in the park, providing advice about the fire risks associated with smoking in dry open spaces and the impact such behaviour can have on others. Both were also given the opportunity to surrender drugs and paraphernalia for disposal, which they did.

Patrols will continue throughout the summer to help keep our parks and green spaces safe, welcoming places for everyone to enjoy, free from anti-social behaviour and hazardous debris.

Please continue to report incidents when they occur. Every report helps officers build a clearer picture of local issues and direct patrols to the areas where they are most needed.

School’s out (almost) for Summer

Last weekend, local officers had the pleasure of attending the Waterloo Fete on Malling Brooks, Lewes, kindly hosted by the Waterloo Bonfire Society.

The event attracted lots of residents who enjoyed the sunshine, stalls, vintage cars and live music.

Officers from Lewes Neighbourhood Policing Team were on hand with their own stall, giving youngsters the chance to try on police hats and uniform, sit in a police vehicle, and learn more about policing.

The team also took the opportunity to update residents on recent local crime, while offering advice, support and crime prevention information.

Events like this are an important part of neighbourhood policing, giving officers the chance to hear first-hand about the issues that matter most to local people and provide updates on what is being done to tackle them.

To find out about upcoming local events and where your neighbourhood policing team will be this Summer holiday, visit the 'Your Area' section of the Sussex Police website here.

CSW Seaford

Following calls from residents around speeding in Seaford, local PCSOs called on officers from our Community Speed Watch Teams to join forces to conduct a number of checks in the last weekend in various areas of concern.

During the course of their checks, a number of vehicles were recorded exceeding the speed limit, at different sites including: along Badgers Copse on the A259 Eastbourne Road, the approach to Downs Leisure Centre, and the A259 Seaford Road around Seafield Road from Hind Over into the 30mph Zone; drivers recorded by teams exceeding the limits will soon be hearing from us.

We continue to work together to keep our roads safe, and to address recently reported community concerns; with focus on the Fatal 5 offences, including speeding and the use of mobile phones or other distractions, which contribute to serious and fatal collisions on Sussex roads each year.

Residents can read more about our commitment to road safety as well as report incidents to us online, or by calling 101.

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