Sussex Alerts - Lewes and Seahaven Police

Sussex Alerts - Lewes and Seahaven Police

Friday 13th November 2026

Sussex Alerts - Lewes and Seahaven Police

Dear Residents,

Please find below the latest Sussex Alerts from Lewes and Seahaven Police.

Out and about this month 

Chailey Bonfire earlier this month saw officers wrap up warm and join residents in the village for their annual bonfire celebrations.

With large crowds in attendance, officers were on hand to offer safety advice and reassurance, as well as meet residents, parents and young people.

Officers also shared crime prevention advice, discussed recent policing activity, and provided information on how to access support or report concerns, while listening to local issues and discussing matters affecting the community.

Did you know…you can stay up to date with local policing by visiting your local area page on the Sussex Police website, where you can find information about your neighbourhood policing team, local priorities, community events, policing activity, crime prevention advice, and ways to get in touch - click here.

Drive insured campaign

This week, we’re police across the County are supporting the MIB 'Op Drive Insured 26' to crackdown on uninsured motorists, with officers focusing on stopping uninsured drivers this week to help make our roads safer for everyone.

We're asking the question, ss your cover valid and appropriate for your needs? 

Consequences of uninsured driving:

1. £300 fixed penalty notice
2. Vehicle could be seized and crushed
3. Six points on licence
4. Potential unlimited fine and driving ban
5. £1,000 average premium increase for IN10

Are you insured, find out more online using the MIB's free online status checker here.

Business Crime Action month

As part of Business Crime Action month, officers have been carrying out high-visibility patrols across #'Lewes and the Coast, patroling town centres and engaging with businesses of all sizes, from independent retailers to larger stores.

Working alongside security teams, local authorities and business owners, officers have been discussing local concerns, offering crime prevention advice and hearing first-hand about the issues affecting staff and businesses.

These visits have also provided an opportunity to update businesses on recent reported crimes, arrests and Criminal Behaviour Orders issued to those causing harm in our communities, while helping shape our ongoing efforts to make town centres safer for everyone.

Officers have also been promoting DISC, the information-sharing platform that helps businesses and police across Eastbourne and Lewes stay connected and work together to tackle business crime.

Thinking of buying an e-scooter this Christmas...

Many people are unaware that privately owned e-scooters cannot be legally ridden in public places, such as roads, pavements, parks and town centres.

If you’re prepared to illegally ride your electric bike, scooter or motorcycle, prepare to have it seized and destroyed. (campaign video here).

This is the message police are issuing to riders in a bid to crackdown on the dangerous and antisocial use of these vehicles in public.

From Sunday (1 November), a new procedure for e-scooters, illegal e-bikes, e-motorcycles and unregistered off-road motorcycles will come into effect across Sussex Police and Surrey Police.

Before spending money this Christmas, take a moment to check where and how an e-scooter can legally be used; it could save a lot of disappointment when that Christmas present ends up in the crusher rather than under the tree.

Find out more on the new procedures, as well as the law surrounding these types of vehicles on our Sussex Police website here.

Think twice ... please share with any teens in your care

A new campaign by Sussex Police launches this week in a bid to encourage young people to stop and think before sharing an intimate photo with someone else.

The Think Twice initiative wants teenagers to pause before pressing send and hits home the message that they will no longer have control once the image has been shared.

A private photo could be forwarded on or even shared online -  giving viewing access to unlimited people and having a devastating impact.

It is illegal for anyone to make, share, send or receive an indecent image of a person under 18 years old.  Think Twice aims to educate – not prosecute.

More than thirty schools across Sussex have signed up to the campaign. They will have access to resources including posters, digital content for display screens information to create their own lesson plans for pupils.

Award-winning designer Pedro Allevato, who has worked with Marvel Studios and Gorillaz, has collaborated with Sussex Police on the campaign– creating three animations to ensure the message hits home.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Bates, child sexual exploitation lead, said: “There is a growing issue with children, particularly teenage girls, feeling pressured to send intimate photos of themselves to someone else.  This could be for a number of reasons, sexual experimentation, or pressure from someone else – perhaps a boyfriend or someone they have met online.

“Unfortunately, that private image often does not stay private between those two people. We want to ensure young people are aware that the photo they’ve sent could end up being forwarded on to hundreds of others or even published online for anyone to see.

“Our message is Think Twice before you press send and always talk to an adult you trust, or the police, if you are at all concerned. We will listen to you and we will support you.”

Think Twice | Sussex Police a page where teens and parents can get advice and find other organisations who can help.

Reporting and contact us

For non-emergency incidents or crime prevention advice, visit www.sussex.police.uk (all online reports are triaged and assessed in the same way as a 101 call). 

Call 101 when you do not require an urgent response, and in an emergency when life is threatened or there is immediate danger always call 999. 

Visit us face-to-face at a police station or contact the local policing team online* www.sussex.police.uk/area/your-area where you can also find locations and opening hours for local stations/contact points.  

*To contact your local neighbourhood policing team, you can complete a simple form on our website, and the team will respond within 72 hours. 

This form is specifically for concerns in your neighbourhood and should not be used to report crime or anti-social behaviour.

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, or other forms of communication difficulties.

Those with textphone can text 18001 101, or BSL users can use SignVideo to provide a Video Relay Service (here: www.signvideo.co.uk/) to report crime through a live online interpreter, who will contact the police on your behalf, when you do not require an urgent response.

In an emergency when life is threatened or there is immediate danger please use the textphone service 18000 or text us on 999.

BSL users can call 999 BSL (here: www.999bsl.co.uk/) to use a British Sign Language interpreter.

For more information on textphone and Relay UK, including help setting up the Relay APP please visit: www.relayuk.bt.com/how-to-use-relay-uk/contact-999-using-relay-uk.html

Join your local Neighbourhood Watch 

Neighbourhood Watch is a free, volunteer-led charity that helps communities stay connected, share crime prevention advice, and receive local safety information. 

Visit the Neighbourhood Watch registration page www.ourwatchmember.org.uk to join online. 

Members benefit from community messaging, updates on local issues, and opportunities to support efforts to make their neighbourhood a safer place to live. 

For further information, please contact the Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Federation at enquiries@sussexnwfed.org.uk.