CORRECTION Sussex Alerts - Lewes and Seahaven Police

CORRECTION Sussex Alerts - Lewes and Seahaven Police

Friday 6th November 2026

Sussex Alerts - Lewes and Seahaven Police

Dear Residents,

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

Project Servator - Lewes Bonfire

You may have seen specialist Project Servator officers deployed across the town centre this week in Lewes?

Throughout the week, officers have engaged with many businesses and members of the public across the town centre, promoting awareness of Project Servator and helping people understand the role vigilance plays in keeping large events safe.

This proactive approach has already delivered positive results, including the arrest of a wanted male during today's deployment (Wednesday).

See the team in action here.

Using unpredictable deployments, their approach creates a spontanious policing presence, helping to deter and identify criminal activity, while providing visible reassurances to the public.

These patrols form part of a National policing tactic, often deployed in the lead up to, during busy periods or at large events to help keep you safe, and their presence is not intended to cause concern or alarm.

Officers are available and more than happy to speak with members of the public if you have any questions during these deployments.

Together we've got it covered - if you see anything that doesn't feel right whilst out and about please report to police, staff or security at the time.

Before Lewes lit up 

Just a few snaps of your local Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) out ahead of the L:ewes Bonifre celebrations last night.

Before the main event got underway, officers from your NPT were out and about across the town, carrying out reassurance patrols, visiting local businesses and speaking with shop owners as they prepared to gear up for the celebrations.

Alongside their patrols, officers spoke with many residents and those attending the event, providing reassurance, answer questions and help people prepare for what is always a very busy evening in Lewes.

These patrols formed part of the wider policing operation supporting this large event; with officers from across the Force working throughout the night alongside bonfire societies, event organisers, stewarding teams, officials and other emergency services, with everyone working closely together to ensure the evening was safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Timeline of events and police actions taken this year:

23:00pm 5th November: It has been another incredible Lewes Bonfire event so far.

As of 10.30pm the event has been generally trouble free, with thousands watching processions in the town centre and then displays at bonfire sites.

St John Ambulance have treated a small number of people for injuries, including one patient who has been taken to hospital.

Sussex Police have made six arrests, and issued three Dispersal Orders.

We continue to remind people to take extra care, especially around water and with fireworks in the cold and dark.

01:30am 6th November: We are concluding our operations after another enjoyable year of Lewes Bonfire celebrations.

We would like to thank everyone who has made it a successful event. It has taken months of planning and preparation by emergency services, local authorities and transport operators who have worked closely with bonfire societies and the community in Lewes.

The majority of the crowds have now dispersed, we estimate as many as 20,000 people attended processions and fireworks displays in the town.

As of 1am, St John Ambulance and South East Coast Ambulance Service treated 52 people, with four being taken to hospital for further treatment.

Police have made 11 arrests for eight incidents, including for assault, drunk and disorderly behaviour, possession of an offensive weapon, and criminal damage. Officers also issued three notices for Dispersal Orders.

Roads are now being reopened and the clean-up operation will begin.

Driver fails to put baby in a car seat

Officers were horrified when they recently pulled over a car for not displaying a rear number plate in Seaford.

Inside was a baby in a fabric chest carrier strapped to an adult passenger, and a two-year-old without a seatbelt in the rear, sat amongst unsafe quantities of luggage.

The family, who were enroute from Seaford to Essex, were prevented from travelling any further until car seats were safely fitted for both children.

The driver has been reported to court for failing to display a rear registration plate and carrying passengers in a manner likely to cause danger of injury.

It really is thanks to the diligent work of two officers stopping a car for a defect that might seem trivial to some, that no one was seriously injured.

CCTV enquiries lead to arrest and bike seizure in Newhaven

Following an investigation into an assault the night before in Newhaven, investigating officers worked together to quickly develop key lines of enquiry, including reviewing CCTV footage, which helped identify suspects and a bike linked to the incident.

Later that night, 4 November, while on proactive patrols in the town, officers spotted the same bike identified through their enquiries being ridden in a dangerous manner without lights.

After the rider entered an alleyway, an officer acted swiftly to safely bring the bike to a stop and detain the suspect.

Subsequently, a man was arrested on suspicion of GBH, ABH, possession with intent to supply drugs and a number of motoring offences; he also had his bike seized as a result of the motoring offences identified.

Important changes to e-bike / e-scooter policy

If you’re prepared to illegally ride your electric bike, scooter or motorcycle, prepare to have it seized and destroyed.

This is the message police are issuing to riders in a bid to crackdown on the dangerous and antisocial use of these vehicles in public.

From Sunday (1 November), a new procedure for e-scooters, illegal e-bikes, e-motorcycles and unregistered off-road motorcycles will come into effect across Sussex Police and Surrey Police.

It introduces a 'no returns' approach for eligible vehicles seized by police, ensuring that vehicles being used unlawfully on our roads and in public spaces are removed from circulation and prevented from being used again.

The change has been developed in response to increasing concerns from communities about the dangers posed by illegally used powered vehicles, including their involvement in road traffic offences, antisocial behaviour and criminal activity.

The policy change relates to:

Once seized, vehicles will be assessed and processed in line with the new guidance and, where appropriate, destroyed.

Superintendent Jo Grantham, head of roads policing for Sussex Police and Surrey Police, said: “The use of these high-powered machines is a growing concern for our communities, and that’s why we have stepped up our patrols to target offenders and keep all road users safe.

“It doesn’t matter if you were just travelling to school or work, or if you are just riding for fun. The bottom line is e-scooters are illegal to use in public– unless through an authorised rental scheme – and e-bikes and e-motorbikes must meet legal requirements; both can pose a significant risk to all road users when used illegally or irresponsibly and riders need to understand the consequences of their actions.

“This could include a criminal record, a driving ban, or worse still, seriously injuring or killing yourself or someone else.

“If you are caught, be in no doubt that your vehicle will be seized and destroyed.”

Previously, officers used their discretion depending on the circumstances when stopping a rider using an e-vehicle, which may have included issuing words of advice rather than a seizure.

But despite this change in policy, officers are keen to educate the public and prevent vehicles from being seized and destroyed in the first place.

Supt Grantham added: “We know these vehicles aren’t cheap, and we’re working with young people, parents, schools, colleges and communities to provide education – before enforcement action is necessary.

“If you witness dangerous or illegal riding in your community, report it to us. Your information helps us target our activity where it’s needed the most.”

The change also supports the recent launch of Operation Scramble, dedicated to tackling criminality involving e-bikes and e-scooters, and keeping all road users safe.

Reporting and contact us

For non-emergency incidents or crime prevention advice, visit www.sussex.police.uk (all online reports are triaged and assessed in the same way as a 101 call). 

Call 101 when you do not require an urgent response, and in an emergency when life is threatened or there is immediate danger always call 999. 

Visit us face-to-face at a police station or contact the local policing team online* www.sussex.police.uk/area/your-area where you can also find locations and opening hours for local stations/contact points.  

*To contact your local neighbourhood policing team, you can complete a simple form on our website, and the team will respond within 72 hours. 

This form is specifically for concerns in your neighbourhood and should not be used to report crime or anti-social behaviour.

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: www.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: www.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: www.relayuk.bt.com/how-to-use-relay-uk/contact-999-using-relay-uk.html

Join your local Neighbourhood Watch 

Neighbourhood Watch is a free, volunteer-led charity that helps communities stay connected, share crime prevention advice, and receive local safety information. 

Visit the Neighbourhood Watch registration page www.ourwatchmember.org.uk to join online. 

Members benefit from community messaging, updates on local issues, and opportunities to support efforts to make their neighbourhood a safer place to live. 

For further information, please contact the Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Federation at enquiries@sussexnwfed.org.uk.