Friday 20th December 2024

Sussex Alerts - Eastbourne Police

As we head into the last weekend before Christmas 2024, we wanted to take the time to wish you all a very Happy Christmas, and a prosperous New Year from all the team at Eastbourne.

Bank burglary suspect charged

Police have charged a man following a burglary at an Eastbourne bank.

The, 44yo, of no fixed address has been charged with burglary following the incident which took place at a bank in Terminus Road, Eastbourne around 1am on 11 December.

Cash was stolen and equipment was damaged.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at a court to be fixed on 10 January to answer the charges.

Witnesses or anyone with any information or footage is asked to contact police online or call 101 quoting serial 42 of 11/12.

The countdown to Christmas is on

As we quickly approach 'the night before Christmas', we continue to conduct high visibility patrols across the town ensuring everyone can Christmas shop, party and enjoy the festive delights the town has to offer safely.

Already this week a number of patrols have taken place across the district, with officers spreading Christmas cheer and Christmas crime prevention advice to residents and businesses in the area ahead of the big day.

Our top tips this festive period:

When you are out shopping please remember:

-Keep valuables in inside coat pockets or internal zips in bags to prevent pickpockets
-Only carry the cash you need, do not carry large amounts with you
-Avoid going back to your car to drop off presents part way through your trip, if you do keep 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
-Avoid walking home alone in the dark, and never with someone that you do not know
-Drink responsibly, never drink and drive, arrange for a taxi or a designated driver for the evening

When you are at home:

-Don’t leave presents under your Christmas tree if they are visible from windows or doors
-Never keep large amounts of cash at home
-Check you have adequate home insurance to cover high value items
-Make sure your home is secure before going out, locking all doors and windows

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 putting inside a wheelie bin
-Register your newly gifted items with your home insurance provider and with property registering websites
- if your valuables are stolen it will allow you to tell the police, your insurer and second-hand traders to assist in recovering your property and catch the thieves

Contact us 24/7, 365 online or by calling 101 (non-emergencies), and always by calling 999 in an emergency/crime in action.

Operation Confront first two week results

Since December 1, over 78 hours have been spent on dedicated patrols and engagements in the town centre.

Operation Confront; aimed at tackling and dispersing ASB in the town centre predominantly, has seen a number of positive results already in the last two weeks, including over 10 arrests and just shy of 10 stop searches resulting in arrests for shoplifting, robbery, assault and a recall to prison.

Under this police operation, a further 3 persons have also been summonsed to court for shoplifting as a result of these proactive patrols and targeted activities by police in Eastbourne across the town.

Not only are these patrols an opportunity for police to engage with communities, but to also offer reassurance to both local businesses, and residents that we are committed to reducing crime and disorder, as well as being in a position to respond to any concerns and address any inappropriate behaviours at the time.

This operation, which sees Neighbourhood Policing Teams working with partners on a number of joint patrols in the run up to Christmas; including Eastbourne Borough Council is aimed at addressing community concerns raised around both crime and anti-social behaviour, including street drinking and begging in the town centre, as well as catching those responsible for business crime in the area.

Eastbourne officers and staff celebrated at annual East Sussex Awards.

The hard work, dedication and bravery of police officers and staff in East Sussex has been celebrated at an awards event.

The ceremony was held at the Welcome Building in Eastbourne in front of family, friends and dignitaries including East Sussex High Sheriff Lucinda Fraser.

Awards were presented for a variety of reasons, including complex and in-depth investigations, tackling organised crime, impactful community engagement and life-saving actions.

Each award celebrated individuals and teams who have consistently gone above and beyond in their duties, showcasing their commitment to assisting those in need and ensuring the safety and well-being of the community they serve.

Some of the award winners include:

Eastbourne officer PC James Betteridge and RC Kirsty Burgess, were praised for their brave actions after discovering a burning bungalow in Eastbourne, with the fire spreading to a neighbouring property.

Finding an elderly man close to the fire, they safely escorted him away. Unsure if his wife remained inside, they selflessly entered the smoke-filled building, conducting a thorough search to ensure everyone’s safety. The Fire Commander praised their actions, stating that the occupants were fortunate they responded so quickly. 

PC Ben Hall, based in Eastbourne, and PC Daniel Ribeiro Pires, based at Hastings Police Station, were awarded for their life saving actions. They were at an address when they encountered a lady suffering from a seizure and cardiac arrest. Daniel immediately began CPR while Ben contacted emergency services, providing concise updates throughout. Daniel calmly and expertly continued CPR until paramedics arrived. Their composed demeanour and effective communication with each other and the control room to arrange support from the ambulance service was commended. They remained on scene until paramedics arrived, playing a crucial role in ensuring the woman received the necessary medical attention, ultimately saving her life.

PCSO Daniel Russell, based in Eastbourne, was praised for his swift action in identifying a concerning incident on his beat area. Daniel’s quick response, identifying a man who lured a lone woman to an isolated area followed by a sexual assault against another teenager, was crucial in apprehending the suspect within hours. Daniel’s thorough initial investigation led to the identification and arrest of the perpetrator, who was subsequently charged and remanded with serious offences.

Investigator Adisa Kadiric, based in Eastbourne, was awarded for a tenacious investigation into a fraud targeting a vulnerable elderly man. The suspect, posing as a caregiver, cynically exploited the victim’s trust, defrauding him of over £150,000. Despite significant investigative challenges, Adisa relentlessly pursued the case, securing charges and ultimately a guilty plea in March 2024, resulting in a 4-year 8-month prison sentence. Adisa demonstrated exceptional investigative skills and a profound dedication to protecting a vulnerable member of the community.

Chief Superintendent Rosie Ross, Divisional Commander for East Sussex, said: "Every day we see incredible hard work and dedication put into policing East Sussex, and I am immensely proud of all of the officers and staff, they truly are a credit to Sussex Police and the communities they serve.”

Contact us

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 do not require an urgent response. In an emergency when life is threatened or there is immediate danger always call 999. 

Speak to 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.