News, updates and advice 1st February-14th February.

Being a victim of burglary can be devastating, impacting a person’s wellbeing, and feeling of safety. This type of crime can have a ripple effect on the whole community. 

As much as we would like to be everywhere, we need your help to protect you and your property. Please also look out for neighbouring homes, if you see or hear anything suspicious, please contact us immediately.

Burglars are typically opportunistic, taking advantage of doors and windows that are left open or unlocked or are easy to force. Fortunately, simple precautions can effectively deter these criminals.

Tips on how to keep you and your property safe.

Outside your house

If you find someone trying to enter your home, call 999 immediately.

For more tips or advice, please visit our website here http://spkl.io/6189404xV

A Stroke can be life-changing. 

When a stroke strikes, it changes everything. Recently, the Sussex Stroke Community visited Hastings Police station to raise awareness about this life-altering condition.

Know the FAST warning signs:

Other warning signs include 

Even if symptoms fade quickly, seek immediate medical help.

A stroke impacts more than just physical health—it affects emotions, relationships, and financial stability. Recovery looks different for everyone, but with support from organisations like the Stroke Association and their local partners, survivors can work toward their best possible quality of life.

We would like to increase awareness of 'Clare's Law'

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) enables people to apply for information about their partner’s (or ex-partner’s) history if they’re concerned about their own safety. It also enables a concerned family member, friend, neighbour or colleague to apply for that information to protect someone they believe to be at risk of harm.

A disclosure means sharing specific information about a partner for the purposes of protecting the person in a relationship with them from domestic violence, and is known as a ‘Right to Ask’ disclosure, which can help people make an informed decision about whether to continue with a relationship that could become violent or dangerous, and provides support when making that choice.

To make a Clare’s Law application contact Sussex Police:
Visit a police station or speak to any officer, visit our website for more information.

But if you believe that you or someone else is in immediate danger, always call 999.

Please make elderly or vulnerable family members, friends or neighbours aware.

Your safety matters. Take a moment to share these important guidelines on doorstep fraud.

Stay Safe: Simple Rules to Remember

Keep these simple rules in mind:

If someone shows up unannounced, don't feel pressured to let them in. Instead, ask them to come back when a family member or friend can be with you.

Report it! If you have been deceived into giving money to someone, contact Action Fraud here  Lets make it difficult for them to deceive others. 

How to make stealing your motorbike as unappealing as possible. 

The longer a thief needs to spend breaking through your security, the less likely they are to try.

If possible, keep it out of sight, park it in a garage or secure garden, getting it off the road could help reduce insurance premiums. 

Locks / Chains

It's a good idea to invest in a good motorbike lock. 

A disc lock (alarmed) to secure the front brake disc, or a grip lock to secure the brake and throttle controls, use a chain lock through the back wheel as the front wheel can be removed.

If possible secure your bike with the lock taut to an immovable object such as a ground anchor or street furniture, alternatively, thread the chain (if possible, buy 22mm) through your motorbike frame and back wheel.

Alarms

A useful deterrent. Ensure that any alarm you choose is an approved device.

Motorbike covers

When possible, use a motorbike cover, it will also protect your bike from the elements.

Disable your motorbike

Another easy option to deter thieves is removing the spark plug or HT cap.

The benefits are that it’s quick and relatively straightforward, although this will not prevent thieves lifting your motorcycle into a van, but it is an added tier of security worth considering.

Trackers

If the thieves do manage to steal your bike, a tracker fitted to the vehicle could help locate the motorbike and possibly the offenders. 

If you see your bike being stolen, never put yourself at risk, call police on 999 immediately.

You said -
Anti-social driving and noisy motorcycles in Hastings Old Town

We did -
During routine patrol, we encountered a motorcyclist operating a significantly noisy moped. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the vehicle was lacking an exhaust, and the driver was also lacking insurance. The moped was subsequently seized, and a Traffic Offence Report was issued to the rider.

PCSOs Nye and Lucas participated in an impactful career fair at East Sussex Coast College in Hastings yesterday.

The event provided an excellent opportunity to connect with students interested in a career within the police.

Throughout the day, they chatted with students about various aspects of policing, including career pathways into roles such as PCSO, Emergency Call Handler and Police Officer, particularly interested in learning about the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) program. 

The fair also gave them the opportunity to discuss important safety topics with students, covering practical advice about staying safe during nights out, including distributing bottle top covers to prevent drink spiking and having crucial discussions around knife crime awareness and the dangers of carrying a knife.

The level of engagement and genuine interest from the students was very encouraging and great to see so many young people actively exploring careers in policing.

Hastings Neighbourhood Policing Team are conducting regular daily and evening patrols throughout Hastings Town Centre and nearby areas, addressing community concerns and maintaining public safety.

We continue to collaborate with businesses and local support organisations to address anti-social behaviour. This coordinated approach, continues to improve the area for local people, visitors and shop staff. 

Local businesses have reported positive results, noting a decrease in retail theft.

Our team remains ready to respond promptly to incidents when they arise, ensuring swift and proportionate action.

We remain steadfast in our efforts to tackle local issues that matter to our community. Please continue to report concerns or crime at the time it happens. 

On the night of February 4th into the morning of February 5th, a burglary occurred resulting in the theft of a motorbike from a private garage. The vehicle was later located by a Neighbourhood officer and the owner recovered the vehicle. 

Thanks to the help of members of the public, two suspects were subsequently located and taken into custody and are helping police with the investigation. 

Hastings Neighbourhood officers maintained a daily presence around St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Primary and Christchurch CE Academy to ensure children's safety during school hours.

They actively addressed the issue of parking, by speaking with drivers who parked irresponsibly and requesting they move their vehicle where necessary.

The safety of children remains our top priority. Dangerous parking creates serious risks to young lives through various hazards:

We strongly encourage all parents and guardians to choose safety over convenience during school runs. Please park legally, keep a safe distance from school entrances. Remember: walking a few extra steps from a proper parking spot could prevent a serious incident.

Driving Hastily through Hastings Town Centre may draw attention, as this vehicle did.

Speaking with the driver, it transpired he was driving Otherwise than in Accordance with a Licence, and without insurance.

Vehicle Seized and driver issued with a Traffic Offence Report.

We will continue with our daytime and evening patrols in and around the town this weekend to provide reassurance to residents, those enjoying a night out and support our night-time economy.

We're on hand to address any immediate crimes or incidents, and we welcome conversations with members of the public about any concerns they may have.

We also encourage anyone with concerns to use our StreetSafe online tool through our website, where you can anonymously inform us about locations where you feel unsafe.

StreetSafe allows you to pin specific areas on a map where you feel or have felt vulnerable, regardless of whether a crime has occurred. You can access this tool via the Sussex Police website here 

We will use this valuable information to evaluate and implement measures, actions and initiatives to enhance our patrols, public safety and strengthen your sense of security.

Please note: StreetSafe is not an alternative method for reporting crimes. For non-emergencies, please report incidents online or call 101. In emergencies, always dial 999.

We always enjoy spending time at West St Leonards Primary Academy. 

Our visit began with the school assembly, which focused on the importance of politeness—one of the academy's core values. It was impressive to watch how the youngsters embodied this principle, demonstrating exceptional manners as they moved throughout the school. Whether filing in and out of the assembly hall or engaging in conversation, each pupil showed courtesy and respect.

Following the assembly, we got to spend time with Year 4 pupils, listening to them read aloud during one-to-one sessions. 

These visits play a vital role in building positive relationships between the police and our local community's youngest members. Looking forward to our next.

During morning patrols in an around Hastings, I met with the vice chairman of Hastings Runners at the pod.

With many runners taking to the streets during darker evenings and feeling vulnerable, I was pleased to provide some personal alarms for some of the club’s members. 

Personal safety should always remain the top priority. To ensure your safety while out in the evening, plan your route in advance, stay in well-lit areas, particularly those with residential properties or pedestrian traffic and carrying a mobile phone.

Inspector Buck and Sergeant Torbet, accompanied by local partners John Whittington, Julia Hilton from the Community Safety Partnership, and James Bacon, councillor for Old Town Hastings, conducted a community safety walkabout yesterday.

The discussions focused on addressing anti-social behaviour, graffiti, and implementing safety solutions such as improved lighting in areas where residents feel vulnerable. 

"Engaging with local residents, visitors, and businesses is crucial to understanding the community's challenges," Inspector Buck explained. "This dialogue enables us to evaluate and allocate resources effectively for reassurance, high-visibility patrols, and targeted safety interventions.”

A male, appeared at Brighton Court on February 5th and was remanded in custody after pleading guilty to the following offences in Hastings:

The male is scheduled to appear before Lewes Crown Court on March 5th for sentencing.

A male was arrested Thursday February 6th.

The following day, the male appeared before Brighton Magistrates' Court to face multiple charges relating to a string of offences committed across Hastings and Rother, including:

• Three counts of residential burglary
• One count of commercial burglary
• Seven counts of theft from retail establishments
• One count of fraud
• Two Failed to appear warrants

The male has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at Lewes Crown Court for sentencing on 7th March.

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.

Your local teams

What's happening in your area?

Get the latest crime statistics and advice, help us with appeals for information and find out what we’re doing to tackle crime in your area online here.