Local News Rother

Local News Rother

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
Always lock doors and windows when you go out, even for a moment, and regularly update Key Safe codes.

👪 Make your home look lived‑in
Consider using timer switches, and if possible, install an alarm or CCTV. A home that looks occupied is far less attractive to burglars.

🎁 Keep valuables out of sight
Hide car keys, personal items 

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.
Your call could prevent a crime, help us identify offenders, or reassure someone in your community.

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 at https://orlo.uk/wsg5o 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.

If you own a beach hut, please take a moment to review these simple steps to help keep your property secure:

🔒 Use strong, good‑quality locks
Fit closed‑shackle padlocks or weather‑resistant locks designed for outdoor use.

🚪 Make sure doors and frames are solid
Ensure the door and frame are sturdy and in good condition. Replace weak or damaged areas as needed.

🔩 Fit secure hinges
Use robust hinges and ensure they are properly fixed. For outward‑opening doors, fit hinge bolts for added strength.

🛡️ Consider extra reinforcement
A security bar or internal locking bar can provide additional protection.

📦 Don’t leave valuables inside
Keep the hut as empty as possible. If anything must be left inside, ensure it has no visible value.

🖊️ Security‑mark your property
Mark items with your postcode or use a property marking system, and keep photos of anything stored inside.

🚨 Think about an alarm
Battery‑powered, motion‑activated, or monitored alarms can deter offenders and alert you to intrusions.

🔦 Visit regularly
Regular checks help you spot any issues early and show your hut is being monitored.

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.
If a crime is in progress or it’s an emergency, always call 999.

Drink or Drug Driving? It’s NEVER worth it. 
If you drive under the influence, you’re risking lives, your licence, and your freedom.

✅ Plan ahead, book a taxi or arrange a lift.
❌ Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Your choice. Your responsibility. Don’t risk it.

Help us keep Sussex safe

If you saw or heard anything, or have any information about any incident in this message please contact us online, or call 101, quoting the reference number provided.

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

You can also visit our website at www.sussex.police.uk where you can find our easy to use online forms to report all non-emergencies to us.

On our website you can also find police advice to keep you safe and help you understand the law, and also browse our crime prevention pages for first-hand knowledge, industry best practices and practical crime prevention advice from officers and specialist teams all across the police.

Have you ever had a policing question that doesn't actually require direct police involvement to answer?

Ask the Police is a great online source of information for the most frequently asked policing questions, visit www.askthe.police.uk/ for more information.

Your local teams

What's happening in your area?

Get the latest crime statistics and advice, help us with appeals for information and find out what we’re doing to tackle crime in your area online here.