Friday 25th April 2025

Sussex Alerts - Eastbourne Police

Free bike/cycle marking event 

Free bike marking event.

Join officers for a free bike marking event at the Sovereign Skate park along Eastbourne Promenade on Saturday 3rd May from 1500 to 1700, where you can get your get your property marked against theft.

Marking your items is a great way to not only deter thieves, but will also help Police or local authorities identify stolen property, and better your chances of being reunited with property should they be stolen.

Unable to make the date?

You can buy bike marking stickers, or UV pens quite reasonably online, or speak to the retailer when purchasing such items for their advice on marking your new property.

Help protect your motorcycle, moped or scooter from theft this Summer

With warmer weather we see more bikes on the road, and subsequently more bike thefts. 

We are advising moped, scooter or motorcycle owners to help reduce their risk of becoming a victim by taking steps to review their security.

As well as locking, chaining and covering, owners may wish to consider these further security measures following reports of theft across the town this week.

- An alarm can be a deterrent to thieves - consider implementing an alarm system with tracking, immobilisation, anti-grab and movement sensors can help protect and trace your vehicle.

- Property mark the parts - marking as much of your bike as possible will make it more difficult for criminals to sell parts on, and therefore less attractive to steal; it will also help police identify parts and return recovered stolen bikes.

- When at home the best place to keep your motorcycle, moped or scooter is in your garage or shed - fit a garage door defender or upgrade garage door locks; consider garage and shed alarms as well as low level dusk to dawn lighting will also enhance security or by using a ground anchor which will also provide extra security.

Results from Multi-agency operation targeting money laundering in the South East

More than 100 wraps of Class B drugs, illegal cigarettes and illegal working practices were uncovered as part of a multi-agency operation targeting cash-based money laundering and disrupting serious and organised crime across the South East.

Officers from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) were joined by agencies including Trading Standards, Immigration Enforcement and the Department of Work and Pensions along with local police forces to visit 11 barber and vape shops across Sussex, Hampshire and Thames Valley as part of co-ordinated activity.

The visits across the South East, which were co-ordinated by SEROCU, formed part of the wider Operation Machinize, led by the National Crime Agency’s National Economic Crime Centre targeting cash-intensive businesses.

Locally, earlier this month (10th April) a joint agency operation also saw officers from the Sussex Police Licensing, join forces with Trading Standards and East Sussex Fire and Rescue; supported by Volunteer Police Cadets and a Trading Standards South East funded vape / tobacco dog, to undertake a ‘Test Purchase’ operation in the town, targeting under-age sales of vapes & alcohol. 

With the support of Police Cadets, the operation saw test purchases being made at a number of premises across Eastbourne, resulting in 5 out of 12 failing the test by selling vape products to underage individuals. 

Other results from the operation include, inspections which took place at three premises resulting in concealed illicit cigarettes being found with the help of the Trading Standards South East funded vape / tobacco dog.

A quantity of alcohol from various supermarkets was also seized during the day along with suspected stolen laundry products. 

Detective Inspector Emily Evans, of SEROCU, said about the results from the South East: “Approximately £12 billion of criminal cash is generated in the UK each year, according to estimates. This is usually smuggled out of the country or makes it way in to the financial system via money laundering.

“Premises which tend to be used by organised crime groups in this manner include those which use cash extensively - barbershops, vape shops, and nail salons. Money laundering can be linked to a myriad of other offences so a partnership approach is key to ensuring we can build an intelligence picture so that those who engage in criminal or civil offences can be held to account for their actions.”

During the visits across the South East:
 

• £1,000 worth of illegal cigarettes was seized by Trading Standards.
• 100 wraps of Class B drugs were seized by police.
• Two prohibition notices were issued to owners of barbershops for unsafe fire practices
• One arrest was made by Immigration Enforcement in connection with illegal working
• One licence enforcement notice was issued by a local authority due to not conforming to business licence conditions.
• Ongoing investigations are being carried out by partner agencies in connection with tax evasion, possible benefit fraud and planning in relation to buildings/structures erected without permission.

For further information about the national operation, please view the National Crime Agency’s website.

Eastbourne emergency services weekend returns

The 999 Weekend will take place on Saturday 12th July and Sunday 13th of July this year between 1000 (Sat) 1100 (Sun) - 1700, and is expected to attract thousands from across the region.

Organised by Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, South East Coast Ambulance Service, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, RNLI and supported by your Eastbourne Borough Council; the event has become a favourite in the local calendar and gives the opportunity for visitors to meet members of their local emergency services and get an up-close look at some of the 999 response vehicles used across Sussex.

Find out more about the, teams, stands, units and services on display over the weekend on the gates and timetables displayed on site over the weekend.

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.