News & Updates for Rother 4th November - 17th November

It was an honour to participate in the Remembrance Day ceremony yesterday, paying tribute to the brave service men and women.

Inspector Buck had the distinguished privilege of laying a wreath at the Bexhill war memorial, in solemn memory of all those who fought and sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

Lest we forget 😔

Are you considering Christmas shopping online?

Here are a few tips to keep you safe online

1. Trust your instincts – if an offer looks too good to be true it usually is. 

2. Check the website address Don’t be fooled by spoof websites where the address is slightly changed.

3. Ensure the website address begins ‘https’ at the payment stage – this indicates a secure payment.

4. Don’t click on links in emails if you do not know the sender always type in the website address or use a search engine to find a site.

5. Only deal with reputable sellers - only use sites you know or ones that have been recommended to you.

6. Avoid paying by money transfers direct to people you don’t know. Use an online payment option such as PayPal, which helps to protect you.

7. Watch out for pop-ups appearing asking you to confirm your card details before you are on the payment stage. Never enter your PIN number online.

9. Keep security software and firewalls up-to-date. 

10. Keep receipts and check these against your statement – if you spot a transaction you did not authorise speak to your card company immediately.

A notorious burglar and habitual shoplifter has been sentenced to 56 weeks custodial sentence.

On 31st October, the male, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to eight offenses, including several burglaries at business premises and pubs, theft of charity donations, and persistent shoplifting activities across Hastings, Rother, and Eastbourne. While delivering the sentence, the judge characterised the male as a "one-man crime spree," noting that the gravity of his offenses and his evident tendency to re-offend necessitated a 56-week custodial sentence to protect the public.

Inspector Buck stated, "We recognise the detrimental impact that burglary and theft have on our communities. Our teams are diligently working to apprehend those offenders who target innocent people and businesses within our community. This outcome is a significant achievement for the East Sussex division and is well-deserved by the officers who presented a strong case in court."

Great to see the vibrant community spirit and lively atmosphere at Bexhill as families, friends and visitors gathered to celebrate Guy Fawkes season on Wednesday 6th November. 

The professionally organised firework displays painted the night sky with dazzling bursts of colour and light, creating a spectacular event for all.

These events are meticulously planned and supervised by experts who adhere to strict safety, environmental, and disturbance reduction regulations, ensuring a memorable experience for everyone involved.

Attending large, organised firework displays not only ensures a great evening but also significantly reduces the risks associated with using fireworks at home, such as severe injuries and fires. For a safer and more enjoyable experience, support the local, professionally managed firework celebrations.

In response to reports of anti-social behaviour, the Neighbourhood Policing Team carried out high-visibility patrols in Egerton Park, Bexhill. We have been made aware of incidents involving youngsters using catapults to target birds in the park and we urge anyone strolling through park to report any incidents of this nature at the time. 

While knife crime remains low in Rother, we took the opportunity to perform a knife sweep in the park during our patrol, in support of the #Sceptre initiative. Fortunately, no knives were discovered. However, we recognise the potential for young people to hide knives in areas they frequently visit. Our Youth Officers are actively working with schools and colleges to educate students about the dangers of knife crime. We encourage anyone wishing to surrender a knife to do so anonymously by utilising the designated amnesty bins located at Hastings police station. #BinTheBlade

Sussex Roads Policing Unit (RPU) emphasises the critical importance of having valid insurance prior to operating a motor vehicle. 

It is an offence to drive a motor vehicle without a valid certificate of insurance in place that covers you to drive that vehicle on that particular occasion.

Recently, RPU intercepted a vehicle on the Polegate Bypass that was showing uninsured. Talking with the driver, it was revealed that the driver had cancelled their bank account and failed to transfer their insurance policy to the new account. The driver received a Traffic Offence Report (TOR) and the vehicle was seized. 

When local PCSOs saw a vehicle being driven erratically in Battle, they called officers to speak to the driver.

It transpired the driver was not insured! Traffic Offence Report (TOR) issued, and the vehicle seized.

Driving uninsured can have severe consequences:

Check your insurance is valid, understand the common insurance pitfalls, and learn the consequences of uninsured driving, all available here www.mib.org.uk/op-drive-insured/ 

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.