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News and Updates for Rother


News & Updates for Rother 30th November - 14th December

 

It's never okay to drive while under the influence of drink or drugs. #OpLimit

We have seen the devastation that driving under the influence can cause, and we will not waver in our commitment to tackling this issue at every turn.

During our evening patrols in Hastings and Bexhill, we stopped and spoke with several drivers to confront this critical issue and highlight the devastating impact it can have on so many lives. We are pleased to report that only one Traffic Offence Report (TOR) was issued.

You may not see us, but we’re out there 24/7 365

If you know someone is driving, or is about to drive, while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, call us immediately on 999.

 

A male, of No Fixed Address, has been sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in custody at Lewes Crown Court on December 10, 2024, following multiple breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) that prohibited him from entering specified retail stores.

The male, who has a history of shoplifting offenses, was found to have repeatedly violated the terms of his CBO. Additional charges included using threatening behaviour and abusive language toward retail staff at a store in Ravenside Retail Park, Bexhill.

 

East Sussex County Council are signposting eligible households to apply for the Warm Home Check or Pension Credits.

📆 If you are State Pension age you could qualify for Pension Credit, which also unlocks the Winter Fuel Payment to help with heating bills. To receive the Winter Fuel Payment, make sure you register for Pension Credit by December 21st. Check if you’re eligible here 

🏠 The Warm Home Check service provides free tips to stay warm and save money. It can also offer emergency temporary heating, small home energy efficiency improvements and access to any available government grants!

Find out more about the help and support available from the Warm Home Check service here 

💙 Please remember to check on older neighbours or relatives to ensure they are safe, warm and well this winter.

 

In addition to patrols throughout Hastings and Rother, we have officers working in the towns centres to address anti-social behaviour and shoplifting but more importantly keeping shoppers and businesses safe with our latest Christmas crime prevention advice.

Christmas is a time for giving, but sadly for taking too...here are a few simple steps you can take to protect you, your home, presents and loved ones this festive season. 

 

🎅When you are out shopping, please remember:

-Only carry the cash you need

-Keep valuables in inside coat pockets or internal zips in bags to prevent pickpockets 

-If keeping presents in the car ensure they are well out of sight and the car/boot is locked 

 

🎅When you’re out in the evening: 

-Never leave your valuables unattended in public areas 

-If walking home after a night out, stay with friends  

-Drink responsibly, don’t drink and drive, arrange for a taxi or a designated driver for the evening 

 

🎅When you are at home: 

-It may seem obvious, but lock all doors and windows before leaving the house

-Don’t leave presents under your Christmas tree if they are visible from windows or doors 

-Keep car keys away from letter boxes and in a Faraday case

 

🎅After Christmas: 

- Avoid becoming an easy target for post-holiday burglars/robbers by not leaving boxes for new electronics and other items outside your wheelie bin; break down boxes, and remove labels before disposing of the boxes 

-Register your newly gifted items with your home insurance provider and with property registering websites, assisting in recovering your property and catching the thieves

 

Beware!

Counterfeit £20 notes have been detected in circulation within Battle and Rye. We ask both the public and businesses to remain vigilant.

We've identified several anomalies in these counterfeit notes (marked in red on the reference image). If you encounter any suspicious notes, please contact let us know. This will help us track their distribution. Additionally, we request that any discovered counterfeit notes be handed in to your nearest police station.

Key Features to Verify:

Front of the Note:

  • The silver crown at the top should display an iridescent shine
  • The monarch's face in the left window should be sharp with clear text (counterfeit versions appear blurry)
  • The silver iridescent box in the bottom left corner must clearly display "TWENTY" and "POUNDS"
  • The bottom right window should contain multiple "20" symbols
  • Back of the Note:

  • The Margate Tower should have an iridescent appearance
  • The note should be free from fading or lines along fold marks
  • In the right-side clear window, the monarch's face should be transparent, not white as seen in counterfeits
  •  

    Battle sparkled to life last week as the annual Christmas lights were turned on, transforming the high street. We had the pleasure of being part of this community tradition, mingling with locals and visitors who gathered to share in the festive cheer.

    Having Santa’s sleigh in the town was a delight for the children, who were very excited about meeting Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer! We couldn’t’ resist hopping aboard the sleigh for a photo with everyone's favourite reindeer. 🎄✨

     

    Camber residents have joined the growing number of communities concerned about speeding in their neighbourhood.

    We recently met with the new Community Speed Watch volunteers in Camber to discuss this initiative.

    Fraya Bing and Sean Clarke, along with many other residents, expressed increasing concern about vehicles travelling at excessive speeds through their village. They recognised they could address this issue by establishing a local Community Speed Watch program. The initiative will operate in partnership with Rother Police, who will collaborate with residents to address this significant safety concern.

    If you would like to volunteer for this important community program, please use the link below to register your interest. Our team will contact you with further information. Website here 

     

    Last Saturday, we had the pleasure of visiting Saint George's Church in Crowhurst to serve as judges for their Christmas Tree competition.

    The church was filled with an array of beautifully decorated trees, each one showcasing unique creativity and festive spirit. We found it particularly challenging, but after careful consideration, we were able to select a deserving winner.

    Before leaving, we were more than happy to have our picture taken with a couple of the talented contestants who had contributed to this very festive event. 

     

    The 1st Burwash and Etchingham Scout Group had no idea what we had in store for them when we popped in to see them to chat about crime prevention.

    As part of our visit, we conducted a role-play exercise where we transformed the scout hut into a mock crime scene. A burglary had occurred, and we needed all hands on deck to solve the mystery. 

    The Scouts participated in an immersive learning experience, assuming various professional roles including Police Officers, Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO), and investigative interviewers.

    We wanted to get their little grey cells working, so we tasked them with risk assessing and preserving the crime scene, hunting for evidence and interviewing those that were at the scene. 

    Their enthusiasm for their roles was great to see, showing exceptional engagement and aptitude throughout.

    We hope the scouts found it as enjoyable as we did.

     

    A serious incident occurred at around 6pm 9th December on Terminus Road, Bexhill when a driver collided with two parked vehicles. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

    Officers who were patrolling nearby responded swiftly to the scene. The driver failed both the roadside breath test and drug test. She was subsequently arrested on suspicion of drink driving and transported to the police station. There, she provided a breath sample reading of 128 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath—more than three times the legal limit of 35 micrograms. Blood test results are pending to determine the level of drugs in her system.

    The female has been released on bail and is scheduled to appear at Hastings Magistrates' Court on January 8, 2025.

    Sussex Police will continue to maintain its zero-tolerance policy regarding drink and drug driving offences.

     

    During Op Dickens, which involves additional daily patrols across Bexhill, Battle, and Rye, officers responded to a theft incident at a local store in Bexhill. A male suspect was reported to have stolen beer and ran from the store. 

    As an officer-initiated pursuit, a vigilant member of the public assisted by safely detaining the male. Neighbourhood officers, who were in close proximity, promptly arrived at the scene and made the arrest. The stolen beer was recovered and returned to the store.

    With the newly implemented DISC system on Rother, we can share the offender's details with all participating Rother businesses. This enhanced information-sharing network will make it considerably more difficult for any offender to enter a local store without being identified, thereby strengthening our commitment to safeguarding the community and businesses.

     

     

    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.


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    Message Sent By
    Sharon Eldridge
    (Police, District Engagement Officer, Hastings & Rother)

    Neighbourhood Alert Cyber Essentials