Sussex Alerts- Brighton & Hove Police

Tuesday April 30th 2024

An introduction from our new Temporary Chief Inspector 

Hello everybody! I’d like to introduce myself as the temporary Chief Inspector for Neighbourhood Policing on Brighton and Hove covering Chief Inspector Karen Osborn who has been abstracted from the role for several months.

I am Brighton born and bred, and I have been extremely fortunate to work on Brighton and Hove division for the entirety of my sixteen year career in policing. Whilst I had a very brief stint working on the Neighbourhood Policing Team back in 2015, I am very excited to spend some time back on the department and really get stuck into some community issues.

I really look forward to working alongside you in the months ahead.

Divisional Update

Another month has passed, and we are about to enter the warmer months…. hopefully! As we approach the warmer weather, I just want to take this moment to remind you to be vigilant as we potentially start to spend more time outside, by the water. 

Some advance consideration to safety can go a long way so:

It’s been another busy month for us on the Brighton and Hove and I am pleased to be able to share some of the highlights and work that has taken place.

Project Servator

We launched Project Servator on Tuesday 16th April. Project Servator aims to disrupt a range of criminal activity, while providing a reassuring presence for the public. Our officers are experienced and specially trained to spot the tell-tale signs that someone is planning or preparing to commit an act of crime.

You can expect to see the patrols, they will be highly visible and can happen at any time, anywhere across the city. If you do see any Project Servator officers, there isn’t anything to be concerned about. It is normal police activity and not linked to any specific intelligence about a threat in the area.

You can learn more about #ProjectServator here Project Servator | Sussex Police

Month of Action – Fatal 5 campaign

We have been working together with Sussex Safer Roads Partnership and National Police Chief’s Council to focus on all vehicles and road users’ offences when on the road. Here in Sussex we focus on the #Fatal5 offences which are speeding, using a mobile phone, not wearing a seatbelt, drink and or drug driving and careless and dangerous driving.

PCSO Activity

Our PCSOs have been busy and out across the city visiting areas such as Hawkshurst Road, Shirley Drive, Wilson Avenue, Falmer Road, Marina Parade and Roedean Road to name just a few, conducting high visibility speed awareness work, issuing words of advice where appropriate and necessary, Traffic Offence Reports. 

Speeding is a huge issue, and we will do whatever we can to help to tackle this.

In addition to speed checks, our PCSOs have been out on patrol in locations such as The Level, Coldean, George Street as well as going back to school! Our Neighbourhood Policing PCSOs love to meet the members of the community, and visiting schools and meeting the young people there is a firm favourite!

Click-Call-Connect

We simply cannot stress enough the importance of reporting but your decision about how to report can be the difference between saving a life or not.   It is vital phone lines are kept clear for people who need to contact police during a genuine emergency and need assistance urgently.

Our Click Call Connect campaign is designed to help you decide how best to report a non-emergency.

All reports made online are assessed by one of our skilled Contact Officers – the very same people who you would normally speak to if you called 101.  101 does receive a high level of calls and so by reporting online you do not have to spend your time queuing to speak with us, it also leaves the lines clear for anyone who does not have access to the internet.

Click report online at https://www.sussex.police.uk/reportcrime

Call 101 when you don’t require an urgent response. In an emergency always call 999.

Connect with us face-to-face at your nearest police station or contact point. Contact your local policing team for community matters.

Simon Marchant

Chief Inspector

News

Sussex Police issues apology for historic failings in murder investigation

The families of two children murdered in Brighton in the 1980s have received a formal apology from Sussex Police for failings in its earlier investigations into the case.

You can read more here - Sussex Police issues apology for historic failings in murder investigation | Sussex Police

Appeal after woman assaulted in Brighton

Police are appealing for information after a woman was assaulted in Brighton.

The incident happened at about 2.15pm on February 24 outside the Waitrose supermarket in Western Road, Brighton.

Learn more here - https://www.sussex.police.uk/news/sussex/news/witness-appeals/appeal-after-woman-assaulted-in-brighton/

Appeal to reunite owners with 20 stolen bikes in Brighton

Have you had a bike stolen in Brighton?

Police are trying to reunite owners with their bikes or bike parts which have been stolen from the Brighton area.

Please click the link for photos and details on the missing items - https://www.sussex.police.uk/news/sussex/news/witness-appeals/appeal-to-reunite-owners-with-stolen-bikes-in-brighton/

Appeal for information after woman assaulted on bus in Hove

Police are appealing for witnesses and information after a woman was assaulted on board a bus in Hove.

She reported that another woman approached and assaulted her while they were travelling on board.

Learn more here - https://www.sussex.police.uk/news/sussex/news/witness-appeals/appeal-for-information-after-woman-assaulted-on-bus-in-hove/ 

Information & Advice

Community Speedwatch Survey

👋 Can you help to reduce death and injury on our roads? 👋

Community Speedwatch is looking for volunteers in your area!

This is a vital role in helping to reduce anti-social driving and helping to prevent death and injury on our roads and full training will be given by Sussex Police.

✅ Sign up to a local scheme here 👉 spkl.io/2148 or contact Steve O’Connell, via email CSW@sussex.police.uk or phone 07773486265 for more information.

#Fatal5 #SlowDown

Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

Ever considered becoming a member of Neighbourhood Watch? No time like the present...

🎉 There are membership opportunities to suit everyone at Neighbourhood Watch, and they're all free!

Whether you want accessible crime prevention advice, or want to volunteer and lead change in your community, you can do it all.

Find out why Neighbourhood Watch is for you: spkl.io/1111

Immobilise

Immobilise is a free online national property register which enables the public to record details of their property, including valuables and phones. Police forces are given access to the database with the aim of enabling them to identify and repatriate stolen property to its owner.

Hate Crime

A hate crime is committed when a person is targeted due to their disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Hate crime will never be tolerated. 

If you’re a victim or witness a hate crime, we want you to tell us about it.

You can report:

💻 online Report | Sussex Police

📲 Via our 101 non-emergency number or 999 in an emergency.

Every report made helps us to better protect our communities and catch criminals. Nothing is too small to report.

Online Safety

🔐 You can see and register for upcoming webinars here. Online Safety and Cyber Security Webinars | Eventbrite 🚨

Delivered by our Protect Officer for Surrey and Sussex Police Cyber Crime Unit to empower you with knowledge to navigate the digital world safely. 

General Cyber Security and Online Fraud Awareness – For those already somewhat comfortable using technology. This session will cover everything you need to know to massively reduce your chance of becoming a victim and also empower you with knowledge to help the ones you love and care for.  💻

Gentle Learning Version – This session covers the topics above but in a slower paced and more accessible format for people less confident with technology. 💻

Safeguarding Humanity: The risks of AI (Artificial Intelligence) – AI has taken the world by storm and introduces many benefits as well as highly sophisticated methods of Fraud and Cyber Crime. This shorter yet cutting edge talk will empower you to use AI tools safety whilst also making yourself and your family resilient to AI generated scams.  🎟️

Sussex Safer Roads Partnership

It’s illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data, while driving or riding a motorcycle.

THE FACTS: This means you must not use a device in your hand for any reason, whether online or offline. For example, you must not text, make calls, take photos or videos, or browse the web.

The law still applies to you if you’re:

❌stopped at traffic lights

❌queuing in traffic

❌supervising a learner driver

❌driving a car that turns off the engine when you stop moving

❌holding and using a device that’s offline or in flight mode

EXCEPTIONS: You can use a device held in your hand if:

✅you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop

✅you’re safely parked

✅you’re making a contactless payment in a vehicle that is not moving, for example at a drive-through restaurant 

✅you’re using the device to park your vehicle remotely

Staying in full control of your vehicle The police can stop you if they think you’re not in control because you’re distracted and you can be prosecuted.

Night Time Economy

If you know or suspect someone who has spiked people with drugs or alcohol, give information at http://Fearless.org

You can contact Fearless and report 100% anonymously - a safe space to give information on crime.

Concerned about needle or drink spiking in Brighton & Hove?

We want to emphasise that we take your reports about this seriously.

If you think you have been spiked, report it to police as soon as possible. 

Spiking is still nationally under-reported, so every piece of information you give us is vital and may help us catch an offender later down the line.

If you’re concerned about someone’s safety on a night out and think they might have been spiked, speak to bar staff, and ask for their help.

For tips on how to stay safe from drink spiking, visit our website or Talk to Frank: https://www.talktofrank.com/news/spiking

To report spiking to us - report online or call 101.

Mental Heath Services

Details of free mental health services in Sussex for anyone who needs help or support.  Remember, you are not alone.  Please reach out if you need to speak to someone.

In an emergency, call 999.

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 don’t require an urgent response. In an emergency when life is threatened or there is immediate danger always call 999.

Connect with us face-to-face at a police station or contact the local policing team at www.sussex.police.uk/area/your-area. 

If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired, you can contact us using TypeTalk on 18000 or by sending a text to 65999.

Follow your local Police team on social media, find us on and