Sussex Alerts - Hastings and Rother Police

Friday 31st July 2026

Sussex Alerts - Hastings and Rother Police

Dear Residents,

Please find below the latest Sussex Alerts from Hastings and Rother Police.

Please note that there will be NO alerts next week, these will resume the following week, week commencing 10th August, thank you.

A man has been convicted of stalking a former employee over a five-year period

A male from Etchingham pleaded guilty to stalking involving fear of violence or serious alarm or distress at Brighton Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 23 July, he will be sentenced later this year.

The conviction follows an investigation into reports that a woman was subjected to repeated unwanted contact between 2021 and 2026.

The male repeatedly contacted the victim by email and text message, engraved her name onto a plaque at his home address and sent her gifts, including flowers; many of the messages were of a lewd nature and were sent overnight.

The victim reported the matter to police on 24 April, and he was arrested the same day and later released on bail.

While on bail, he continued to stalk the victim. He was re-arrested on 22 July, charged and remanded in custody overnight before appearing at Brighton Magistrates' Court the following day, where he pleaded guilty.

Investigating officer Investigator Melissa Foster said: "This offending involved a prolonged campaign of stalking that caused the victim significant alarm and distress over a number of years.

"This male was in a position of trust and authority as the victim's employer and exploited that position to target a significantly younger member of staff.

"This offending was not an isolated incident. It involved a sustained pattern of unwanted behaviour and an abuse of the power imbalance that existed within the workplace.

"Despite police involvement, the offending continued while he was on bail, demonstrating a complete disregard for the victim and the conditions imposed upon him.

"I hope this guilty plea provides the victim with some reassurance that he has now been held accountable for his actions; I would also like to commend her courage throughout the investigation."

Anyone experiencing stalking or harassment, or who is concerned about someone's behaviour towards them, is encouraged to report it; more information and support for victims is available online here.

More information on the case can be found here.

Arrests and stolen bikes located following fail to stop

Following recent motorbike theft in the area of Rother, officers have been speaking with riders as part of proactive patrols.

Late last week, officers approached a motorbike in the Combe Valley area to speak with the rider. Rather than stop, the rider made off at speed.

The bike was followed through Combe Valley Way, Combe Valley Road and onto Crowhurst Road, where it was ridden at excessive speed, overtook other vehicles and was driven dangerously.

The motorbike then entered Combe Valley Nature Reserve and was ridden along a public footpath, narrowly avoiding pedestrians.

It was subsequently lost from sight for a short period, with its last known direction of travel being towards Crowhurst Village.

Less than a few minutes later, officers identified an individual matching the description of the rider walking along the main road away from Crowhurst village.

With grounds to arrests, a 15-year-old boy; who cannot be named for legal reasons was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, including failing to stop, dangerous driving, theft of a motor vehicle, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, and driving without insurance.

Following interview, he was released on police bail with conditions, including reporting and curfew requirements, while enquiries continue.

Further enquiries by roads policing officers and Rother neighbourhood policing teams have since led to the recovery of two abandoned motorbikes involved, which are believed to be stolen, efforts will now be made to locate their owner/s.

Vechile speed checks this week

Joined by SID, officers conducted road safety checks along North Trade Road, Battle earlier this week.

SID (Speed Indicator Device) is deployed as a visual activated by an approaching vehicle, which will display the vehicle's speed and a reminder message to either slow down or a thank those who are driving under the prescribed speed limit.

During the course of our 30 minute checks, we’re pleased to report no drivers were recorded exceeding the limit along this stretch, thank you for keeping our roads safe.

SID; alongside our officers will be moving across the district in the coming weeks as part of our ongoing commitment to road safety, focusing on areas of concern raised by local communities.

Residents are encouraged o report areas of concern to us at the time, all reports help to direct patrols, and these types of enforcement activity, thank you.

Report online www.sussex.police.uk or by calling 101, in an emergency, or serious road traffic accident always call 999.

Sussex Police strengthens support for veterans with the launch of Forcer Protocol

Sussex Police has adopted the Forcer Protocol, a pioneering initiative designed to improve the identification and support of armed forces veterans, particularly those at risk of harm.

The Protocol was launched on Friday 24 July at the West Sussex Armed Forces Conference at County Hall, Horsham, where founder Claire Lilly spoke about the programme and the personal story behind its creation.

The Forcer Protocol enables families and carers to share vital information with police about their loved ones in advance, helping officers respond quickly and effectively if a vulnerable veteran goes missing.

Detective Chief Superintendent Matt Barcraft-Barnes, Armed Forces Lead for Surrey and Sussex Police, said: “We fully appreciate that transitioning from serving in the armed forces can be an overwhelming experience, which in some instances can be difficult to come to terms with and cause distress.

“The Forcer Protocol will aid us to quickly find and safeguard service veterans who are vulnerable if they go missing and need support.”

The Protocol was established by Claire Lilly, former wife of Lance Corporal Alan James Forcer, a veteran who took his own life after going missing in 2020. Alan had been struggling with PTSD and his death highlighted gaps in support that the protocol now seeks to address.

By enabling critical information to be shared in advance, the protocol helps police and partners act swiftly during high-risk incidents and ensures a more informed, compassionate response to vulnerable individuals.

Claire said: “What started as a deeply personal mission following the tragic passing of our soldier L/Cpl Alan James Forcer, has grown into meaningful change and been an incredibly cathartic process. We are so incredibly proud to see this work becoming embedded within policing nationally.

“Seeing Sussex Police go live with this initiative means more to our family than words can fully express.

“This implementation has been built through genuine commitment, compassion, and an understanding of the unique challenges faced by those with an armed forces history and their families.

“I want to personally thank everyone involved at Sussex Police for the hard work, dedication, and belief they have shown throughout this process. Their leadership sets an important example of how organisations can stand beside the armed forces community with action, not just words.”

To learn more or to sign up, register with Safe and Found Online.

The introduction of the Protocol in Sussex reflects a wider commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, recognising the unique needs of those who have served and ensuring they receive the appropriate care and support.

Pictured, left to right, are Assistant Chief Constable Steve Rayland, founder Claire Lilly, PCC Katy Bourne and Det Chief Supt Matt Barcraft-Barnes.

Appeals

We're appealing for witnesses after a motorcycle collided with a wall in Pevensey.

Emergency services responded to the incident on Wallsend Road shortly after midnight on Friday 10 July.

The rider – a 28-year-old man from Reigate – sustained serious injuries, while the passenger – a 19-year-old woman from Croydon – sustained serious and life-threatening injuries. Both were taken to hospital for treatment, where the passenger remains in a critical condition; the rider has since been discharged.

Our officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant information such as CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward.

Information can be reported to Sussex Police online, by calling 101 or by emailing: collisionappeal@sussex.police.uk and quoting Operation Redman.

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