Local News Hastings - February

Local News Hastings - February

Protect Your Home This Winter

Burglary can have a real impact on your wellbeing and sense of safety. While we can’t be on every street at all times, your vigilance and simple security steps can make a big difference in keeping you, your home, and your neighbours safe.

Top 3 Tips to Stay Secure

🔐 Lock up and stay secure
Always lock doors and windows when you go out, even for a moment, and regularly update Key Safe codes.

👪 Make your home look lived‑in
Consider using timer switches, and if possible, install an alarm or CCTV. A home that looks occupied is far less attractive to burglars.

🎁 Keep valuables out of sight
Hide car keys, personal items 

We’re Here to Help, But We Need Your Eyes and Ears Too

If you see or hear anything suspicious, no matter how small it may seem, unusual activity, unknown vehicles, someone trying door handles, please report it to us right away.
Your call could prevent a crime, help us identify offenders, or reassure someone in your community.

A few minutes spent securing your home, and one quick call if something doesn’t feel right, can make all the difference.

Sheds / Garages / Outbuildings 

We urge all residents to keep their sheds, garages & outbuildings locked at all times, especially when not in use. They often contain valuable tools, bikes, or expensive equipment that are attractive targets for thieves. 

👮‍♂️ Crime Prevention Tips: 

• Use robust security padlocks or deadlocks on doors, consider a surface mounted garage door lock. 

• Fit an alarm system, motion sensor lighting and/ or CCTV

• Keep expensive items secured inside using lockable cabinets, ground anchors, or chains.

• Consider trackers for high value machinery.

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

• Mark valuable items with your postcode using a UV pen or property marking system. DNA marking kits can be collected from Hastings or Battle Police stations free of charge. 

• Register valuable equipment at https://orlo.uk/wsg5o to help police return stolen items if recovered. 

Let’s work together to make our sheds, garages & outbuildings as difficult to access and unattractive to criminals as possible. 

See or hear anything suspicious, call 101, for crime in progress, call 999 immediately.

 

Drink or Drug Driving? It’s NEVER worth it. 
If you drive under the influence, you’re risking lives, your licence, and your freedom.

✅ Plan ahead, book a taxi or arrange a lift.
❌ Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Your choice. Your responsibility. Don’t risk it.

The January 2026 Police Fraud Newsletter is now available to read.

In this edition, we highlight the nationwide transition from Action Fraud to Report Fraud, explain what this means for victims and reporting processes, and share practical advice on avoiding online scams, including tips for safely booking holidays and short breaks. There’s plenty more inside to help our communities stay informed and protected against fraud.

You can read this edition here Fraud Newsletter January 2026 | Surrey Police

The February 2026 Police Fraud Newsletter is now available to read.

Romance fraud continues to be one of the fastest‑growing and most emotionally damaging forms of cyber‑enabled crime facing communities across the UK. Check out our newsletter for support and advice on how to avoid a scam.

You can read this edition here Fraud Newsletter - February 2026 | Surrey Police

Police Activity Across Hastings & Rother Leads to 20 Arrests

Over the weekend, officers from Hastings and Rother worked collectively to target criminality, safeguard victims, and respond swiftly to emerging incidents.

Through a combination of patrols, targeted operations, investigative work and fast‑time responses, a total of 20 arrests were made, including:

These arrests reflect the ongoing efforts of teams across the district, including response officers, neighbourhood policing, specialist units and investigators,  all working together to ensure those who commit criminal offences are identified and dealt with robustly.

We remain committed to protecting our communities and maintaining a visible and effective policing presence throughout Hastings and Rother.

Meet Your Local Officers – Hastings Ward Events

 Upcoming Dates for March 2026

 Upcoming Dates for April 2026

 Upcoming Dates for May 2026

We’ll be on hand to answer questions and discuss community safety in the area.

We’re inviting residents and businesses to come and speak with their local policing teams. These events are a great opportunity to raise concerns, ask questions, and hear about the work being done to keep your community safe.

Unable to attend a local meeting?
For more information on what’s happening in your area, please visit our website here hthttps://www.sussex.police.uk/area/your-area/*Further dates will be added to this pinned post

 

Partial Closure Order Secured 

Following ongoing reports of drug use and anti‑social behaviour in the area, officers from Hastings Neighbourhood Policing Team have obtained a Partial Closure Order for a property in Cambridge Gardens, Hastings.

The order has been granted under Section 80 of the Anti‑Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and will remain in place for three months. The current tenant is permitted to remain in the address, and access is also authorised for the landlord, emergency services and utility companies.

Anyone else attempting to enter the property during the period of the order is prohibited from doing so and may be arrested. This measure has been put in place to prevent further disorder and protect both the tenant and the wider community.

We remain committed to safeguarding vulnerable individuals, and partner agencies will continue to work with the tenant to ensure they receive appropriate support.

Sergeant Bracey said:
“This action demonstrates our continued commitment to tackling the issues that matter most to our communities and ensuring our neighbourhoods remain safe.”

Following the partial closure order on 13th February, local neighbourhood officers have been carrying out regular visits to ensure the conditions of the order are being met and, most importantly, to support and safeguard the resident living there.

During our visits, officers have eight individuals inside the address in breach of the order. All were arrested at the scene and have since been charged to court.

Our teams will continue to work closely with partner agencies to protect those who are vulnerable within our communities. Closure orders are one of the ways we help prevent exploitation, reduce anti‑social behaviour, and ensure that residents feel safe in their own homes.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to keep our neighbourhoods safe.

We stopped by Ambition Links in Hastings.

We had a friendly chat with their clients and shared a bit about what we do as part of the neighbourhood policing team.

Ambition Links is a fantastic day centre supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism, and today we enjoyed engaging with everyone and joining in with their activities. It was great to meet the group, hear their thoughts, and spend some time getting involved.

Thanks for having us, we really enjoyed the visit and look forward to popping in again.

We see first‑hand the devastation speeding causes for families and the wider community.

With this in mind, at the weekend we were out on Filsham Road in St Leonards with our Speed Indication Device following concerns raised by local residents about vehicles travelling too fast in the area.

These sessions aren’t about enforcement or revenue; they’re about educating drivers and reminding everyone of the very real dangers that come with speeding, particularly with more children out and about during the school holidays. Keeping speeds down helps keep our neighbourhood safe for everyone who lives, works, and plays here.

Please check your speed 

📢 Appeal Following Criminal Damage at Local Church

Local officers are investigating an incident of vandalism that occurred in the grounds of St John the Evangelist Church, Upper Church Road, Hastings, on Friday 13th February at around 7:45pm.

Three illuminated bollards within the grounds were deliberately damaged, marking the second time in recent months that the church has been targeted in this way. These bollards are expensive to replace, and this repeat damage is understandably causing concern.

After reviewing CCTV, three young males were seen entering the churchyard and causing the damage. Enquiries are ongoing to identify those involved.

If you were in the area at the time, or have any information that may assist our investigation, please contact Sussex Police on 101, quoting reference 0836 of 15/02.

Thank you for your support in helping us protect our community spaces.

You Said –
Parking concerns on Queens Road, Hastings, and Central St Leonards.

We Did –
Neighbourhood officers joined colleagues from Hastings Borough Council and NSL parking enforcement to address the issues raised. During the operation, Penalty Charge Notices were issued by NSL, and advice was given to those parking on double yellow lines or obstructing public footpaths.

We will continue working closely with HBC and NSL to tackle dangerous and inconsiderate parking, helping to keep these busy areas safe and accessible for everyone.

Court Outcome

On 19 February 2026, a woman, 35, of St Leonards, appeared before Brighton & Hove Magistrates’ Court.

The offender, a prolific shoplifter, pleaded guilty to 26 counts of theft.

The court imposed a two‑year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) with the following conditions:

Requirements

Prohibitions
She must not:

Investigating officer PC Cloake said:
“CCTV footage made it clear that the suspect showed no concern about being seen by staff or cameras. What she did not anticipate was the vigilance of staff who reported each incident and provided clear evidence of the offences. Shop theft is not a victimless crime, and we remain committed to supporting retailers and keeping our local businesses and communities safe.

While on foot patrol in the Ashdown Ward, we visited St John the Evangelist Church and spoke with the Priest in Charge about the recent incidents of vandalism affecting the church. Where possible, we will continue to address these issues and work towards identifying those responsible.

We spoke to staff in local stores, including the Co‑op, where we are aware of ongoing problems they have been experiencing with shoplifters. We are actively working to identify those involved and will take appropriate action.

We regularly patrol the area during the day and into the evening, to provide reassurance, help gather information, and act as a visible deterrent.

If you are experiencing issues in your area, please get in touch. When we are aware of a problem, we can direct patrols more effectively and work with the community to address it.

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.