Local News November

Local News November

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.

Lock your door when you’re at home as well as when you go out.

Consider an alarm and or CCTV.

Keep your windows shut or consider fitting window restrictors, good window locks can make all the difference.

If possible, leave a light on, use a timer switch when not at home.

Hide all valuables, including car keys, out of sight and away from the letterbox.

Outside your house

Store ladders and tools that can be used to assist in home entry in a shed or garage that is secured with a strong lock.

Ensure your shed/garage is locked when not in use.

Trim overgrown plants and shrubs, so there aren’t any hiding places for burglars.

Don’t hide keys in obvious places, like outside the front door. Burglars will often look in the letterbox or under a plant pot as a matter of course.

Secure side/back gates with good bolts / locks that are not accessible from outside.

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

Ever had someone at your door saying, "We’re working nearby and noticed a loose tile on your roof; we're offering a special price if you agree today; I’ve just completed a job for your neighbour; and we have leftover materials"?

These could be distraction burglars or bogus callers. They aim to mislead or distract you to gain entry or charge exorbitant prices for "repairs."

Rogue traders often offer home and garden repairs, overcharging victims and delivering substandard work. If a workman suggests repairs, inform them you'll obtain quotes from other companies and get back to them. Never agree to buy anything at the door, and don't let anyone into your home unless you are certain they represent a legitimate business.

Remember:

🔒 LOCK ALL DOORS: Pairs of distraction burglars may use the back door while you are occupied at the front.

⛔ NOT SURE? DON'T OPEN THE DOOR: It's okay to say NO and ask them to leave. Keep the chain on if you need to open the door. Avoid engaging with cold-calling traders and never feel pressured to agree.

👀 ASK FOR ID/PASSWORD: Bogus callers may use fake IDs. Genuine callers won't mind if you verify their identity by contacting their employer. Use a pre-set password if available.

🤔 COMMON EXCUSES: Energy suppliers, waterboard or council access, plain clothes police officers, lost dogs, balls, telephone calls, or water requests, and unsolicited repair notices.

🚔 WHAT TO DO: If an unknown caller makes you feel threatened, call 999. Report doorstep criminals by calling 101.

Elderly and vulnerable individuals, who are more trusting and often frail, are primary targets, so please share this message, and if possible, look out for your neighbours.

This month’s fraud prevention newsletter highlights an important issue affecting job seekers, particularly those entering the workforce for the first time: recruitment scams.

We urge individuals to remain vigilant when applying for jobs, especially online. Fraudsters often target those who are new to the job market, using convincing tactics to obtain personal information or money under false pretences.

To learn more and access practical advice on how to protect yourself, please read our October Fraud Newsletter:

👉 Fraud Newsletter October 2025 | Surrey Police

Together, we can raise awareness and help prevent these types of scams from affecting our communities.

It’s been a significant and busy weekend 07/11-09/11 for our teams across Rother and Hastings, resulting in 31 arrests for a range of offences, including:

Two men arrested on recall to prison. One being a collaborative response between PCSOs and officers from Rother and Hastings Neighbourhood Policing Team.

One man arrested for Burglary and going equipped

Further arrests included:

Assault - 9

Drink/drug driving - 6

Robbery - 1

Theft - 2

Possession of an offensive weapon - 2

Stalking/Harassment - 3

Criminal Damage – 3

Sunday was a poignant day for officers across Rother as we joined the community in honouring Remembrance Day.

We had the privilege of taking part in ceremonies to pay tribute to the brave servicemen and women who gave their lives for our freedom.

Alongside colleagues and members of the armed forces, officers laid wreaths at the war memorials in Bexhill, Battle, Rye & Little Common, reflecting on the sacrifices made by so many.

Lest we forget.

A 21-year-old man from Bexhill was stopped on Combe Valley Way after an officer from the Roads Policing Unit observed him riding at 130mph and in a careless manner. Further checks revealed he was also riding without a valid licence.

He appeared in court on 30th October, where he admitted all offences. The outcome:

Disqualified from driving for 9 months

Issued with a substantial fine

We will continue to take robust action against dangerous and illegal riding to keep our roads safe.

Last week, Rother Neighbourhood Policing Team worked alongside Kent Police to disrupt cross-border crime during a week of action.

After reports of rural burglaries in the Rother area, officers were deployed on day and night operations across key travel routes from Kent, along with visits to vulnerable or previously targeted premises. Numerous vehicle checks were conducted, resulting in 10 vehicle searches, 16 person searches, and 6 vehicles being seized.

Two men were arrested after a van stop uncovered a significant quantity of suspected Class A drugs.

Later that night, three males were detained after a 4x4 attempted to evade officers; drugs and a weapon were found, and the driver was charged with multiple offences.

Additional stops led to arrests for drug driving, possession of cannabis, and driving without insurance, with vehicles seized.

A further stop located large amounts of cocaine and cannabis, resulting in two arrests for intent to supply.

These actions form part of our ongoing commitment to tackling drug supply, weapon offences, and vehicle crime to protect our communities.

This week, Rother Neighbourhood Policing Team has been supporting Safer Business Action Week.
We’ve worked with local businesses to highlight the impact of crime and anti-social behaviour on retailers and the wider community, and the importance of partnership working with councils and business crime reduction groups.

Our activity includes:

High-visibility patrols in high streets and retail areas

Engaging with businesses on timely reporting and evidence sharing

Offering crime prevention advice

Disrupting offending through targeted operations

Did you know there are a number of schemes to help support businesses and to help prevent crime?

From Business Improvement District (BID), and Police and Security (PaS), to Pubwatch and Shopwatch, these crime prevention initiatives have been proved effective in helping to combat crime against businesses.

On Sunday night, officers responded to a report of an attempted theft at an address in Peasmarsh, where two individuals tried to steal a quad bike but fled when disturbed by the owner.

We’re reminding residents to take steps to secure their property and reduce opportunities for crime. Outbuildings such as barns, sheds, and garages often contain valuable items like tools, agricultural machinery, quad bikes, and gardening equipment, which can be attractive targets for thieves.

Crime Prevention Advice:

Use robust padlocks or deadlocks on doors; consider a surface-mounted garage door lock. Fit an alarm system or motion-sensor lighting.

Secure expensive items inside using lockable cabinets, ground anchors, or heavy-duty chains.

Avoid leaving tools or ladders outside, as they can be used to gain access to your property.

Mark valuable items with your postcode using a UV pen or property marking system. Free DNA marking kits are available from Hastings and Battle Police Stations.

Consider fitting trackers to high-value items.

Let’s work together to make our properties as secure and unattractive to criminals as possible.

Rye Bonfire – Tomorrow

For full details on road closures, rail services, the processional route, and event timings, please visit the Rye & District Bonfire Society’s website: www.ryebonfire.co.uk/programme

We would like to remind everyone attending to stay alert and look out for one another. If you see something that doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and report it to a marshal or police.

Enjoy & Stay Safe.

📅 Monday 24th November
🕐 1:00pm – 2:30pm
📍 Bexhill Museum

Join PCSO Daryl Holter, Heritage Crime Officer for Rother Police, for a free talk on protecting our local heritage.

We all share responsibility for preserving our past. From ancient landmarks to everyday surroundings, heritage shapes our identity and community. When it's threatened by crime or neglect, we must act together to protect it.

Daryl will share insights from over 10 years as a Heritage Crime Officer, including how communities can help safeguard historic sites for future generations.

👤 About Daryl
Daryl has served with Sussex Police for nearly 23 years and has a deep passion for archaeology and heritage. Daryl has a great interest in both our local and national heritage. He has taken part in a number of archaeological digs with societies and local groups over the years.

Come along and discover how you can help protect what matters.

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.

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