6th December 2011
CSP December Newsletter
The Eastbourne Crime and Safety Partnership 
has published its December Newsletter.
There's lots of news and advice to keep you and you hard earned cash safe from criminals over the holiday period.
To download the complete newsletter, click here
24th October 2011
District Commander's Autumn Message
You may have seen in the local press that East Sussex Division has undergone some changes in the way that we deliver policing to the people of East Sussex.
These changes occurred on the 27th September 2011 and I know you will be reassured to know that they will provide a better service for Eastbourne residents and the rest of East Sussex. The changes mainly effect we way that we respond to calls and the subsequent investigations. The Neighbourhood Response Teams (NRT), Response Investigation Teams (RIT) and the CID are based in five hubs across East Sussex; Our hub is based at Hammonds Drive, Eastbourne. The NRT will focus on response to calls, the RIT and CID will focus on criminal investigations. This ensures that the crimes are investigated effectively and efficiently, providing the best possible outcomes for the victim and witnesses, and will ensure that criminals are brought to justice.
18th October 2011
Community Safety Partnership October Newsletter
The Bishop of Lewes, the Rt Rev Wallace Benn, joined Sussex Chief Constable Martin Richards and the Borough Commander for the Fire & Rescue Service, Julie Gilbert-King to launch ROC - Redeeming Our Communities - at the Winter Gardens on 12th October. A recorded message from Mayor Carolyn Heaps provided inspiration to all with her plea to `Roc on Eastbourne!’
Energy was not in short supply when the founder of ROC, Debra Green, told the audience how she had worked with communities in Manchester and elsewhere to develop community centres in conjunction with Partners such as the Police and Fire Service.
The evening was introduced by Chair of Churches Together in Eastbourne, Martyn Relf, who thanked all those who had helped to bring ROC to Eastbourne.
20th September 2011
Community Safety Partnership September Newsletter
Whilst there have been increases in some types of property crime nationally, the slight increase that we have seen in some thefts Eastbourne is much less than elsewhere. Overall, crime continues to fall – down 7.6% which means that there have been 267 fewer victims.
The Partnership plan focuses on key issues to improve the community for Eastbourne and doesn’t just look at crime and antisocial behaviour. East Sussex Fire and Rescue has identified important areas for attention. They aim to reduce the number of accidental fires in the home as well as deliberate fires and to increase the number of homes that have working smoke alarms.
Eastbourne Borough Commander Julie GilbertKing, “Our home safety visits are free and available to every home in Eastbourne. We are particularly keen to ensure that those who are most vulnerable within the community, the elderly, people living on their own and other risk groups have working smoke alarms."
25th August 2011
Community Safety Partnership August Newsletter
Following the outbreak of disturbances that spread across many areas of England earlier this month Sussex Police and the Community Safety Partnership were quick to release information messages reassuring the community that there was no likelihood of similar disturbances occurring in Eastbourne.
Police shifts were extended and additional Officers were on patrol liaising with the communities across the town as well as the business community to ensure that any intelligence was immediately picked up and concerns were calmed.
District Commander Chief Insp Jayne Dando provided updates through the Partnership with details of how the police operation was unfolding and echoed messages released by the Chief Constable.
10th August 2011
Message from District Commander
You will be aware of the events that have taken place over the last three nights in London. Although there are many rumours circulating on social media sites, there have been no incidents of disorder related to the on-going unrest across the country.
However, we remain alert to the rumours and have planned an increased presence in cities and towns in Sussex.
21st July 2011
District Commander's Summer Message
The recent 999 event on Western Lawns proved one of the most successful to date, beautiful weather, more people than ever, and lots of exciting demonstrations as well as informative stands. We managed to sign up lots more people to our Community Contacts list - over 80 new email addresses which we can use to keep you up to date with important local messages about policing, so thank you for all who signed up.
Neighbourhood Watch were at the stand next to the Community Safety Partnership and the local policing team and seemed to attract lots of interest, I know they signed up many new people to the scheme and I would urge you to do so if you have not already signed online. It’s a good way to get together with neighbours to look out for each other and get to know your local police team.
For more information:e-mail Jan Newens
14th June 2011
Community Safety Partnership June Newsletter
“You’re not welcome here” is the strong message that residents are giving to cold callers in Selmeston Road as their community becomes the latest area in Eastbourne to become a `No Cold Calling Zone’ with funding from the Community Safety Partnership.
The scheme was officially launched on Thursday 9th June 2011 when a number of residents joined Councillors, Trading Standards and the Eastbourne Community Safety Partnership to declare the area a no cold calling zone, preventing sellers from calling house to house without first
making appointments.
The scheme has been proven to increase community confidence, particularly in the elderly, who are often pressurised into entering into unwanted contracts on the doorstep when high pressure sales people call
5th April 2011
Eastbourne CID Takes the Crime Fight to the Criminals
Thieves in Eastbourne will be thinking twice before breaking into people’s garages after two youths were filmed burgling a garage which had been wired up with hidden cameras.
Eastbourne Police caught the two hapless thieves when they broke into a bait garage and tried to steal a Yamaha motorcycle. Footage from the garage has been released by Sussex Police and can be seen through Youtube.
This innovative tactic was featured on the BBC South East Today programme on Monday along with an interview with Detective Inspector Paul Phelps who talked about the successful use of 'bait' garages in crime hot spots in Eastbourne.
This is the first time 'bait' garages have been used by the Force:
- They are neither expensive nor labour intensive…. all equipment used is inhouse and only takes about two to three hours to rig a garage.
- They are proving to be highly effective... as soon as someone enters the garage a mobile phone text is sent to the officers to notify them of an intruder. Images from the cameras are downloaded, the suspect is identified and then arrested.
District Commander Chief Inspector Jayne Dando, “Our aim is to reassure the local community that Sussex Police care about the effect that opportunistic thieves have on people's lives. We are taking the fight to the criminals to reduce this type of crime and instill fear in potential perpetrators that they will be caught.”
25th June 2010
Shoplifting DOWN across Eastbourne
The shoplifting action plan developed by the Eastbourne Crime Reduction Partnership (CRP) has seen a dramatic reduction in shoplifting offences across the town.
In 2009 the Partnership developed an action plan to tackle the upward trend in theft from shops which was the only major crime type that was not reducing in Eastbourne.
Sussex Police worked with Eastbourne Business Crime Group and the CRP to look at the causes of the increases and to develop a strategy to halt the rise.
21st June 2010
Operation Liberal responds to Doorstep Crime
Operation Liberal (currently known in Sussex as Operation InRoad) is the national response to distraction burglaries, rogue traders and bogus callers; commonly referred to as 'Doorstep Crime'. These type of offences can be committed by offenders who are known to travel across borders and further afield to conduct their crimes
The Operation Liberal team has issued an A5, six sided leaflet which is aimed at older vulnerable members of the community who are most likely to become victims of distraction burglary
The leaflet contains information under the following headings:
- What Is Distraction Burglary?
- How Do They Operate?
- Distraction Burglary Isn’t Common But We Must All Remain Vigilant!
- Rogue Traders
- Common Lies Distraction Burglars Use To Convince You To let Them In
- A Few Tips To Keep You safe
- Useful Contacts
You can get a printed copy of the leaflet from your Neighbourhood Policing Team or download a copy > >
15th March 2010
Take Care at Supermarket Self Service Checkouts
Police are advising customers at supermarkets to be extra vigilant when using "Self service checkouts". Recently there have been an series of offences where customers have paid for their goods using a credit or debit card at a self service checkout. Whilst they have done this, and unknowing to the customer, two people have been watching them input their PIN into the card machine. A short time later, the same customer is approached in the stores car park and distracted, often by being asked the directions to the local hospital or similar, and the card is stolen from a handbag or purse. Very quickly after the card is used at the stores cash point and a the maximum is withdrawn for that day.
This is particularly nasty as is plays on the good nature of residents who wish to help others in medical need. Additionally the victim does not realise the card has gone until some time after. Enquries are continuing as to who is responsible for this crime, but vigilance is needed by all users, especially at busy times.
Insp Rachel Barrow, the Neighbourhood Policing Inspector has said: "This type of offence is very rare in Eastbourne, but it does appear well organised. However, we are reminding people of the general advice given by banks to cover the keypad when typing in their PIN and be aware of anybody standing close-by and watching them. If an individual is acting suspiciously please call Police straight away by dialling 999"
6th March 2010
New Website for Neighbourhood Panels
The Eastbourne Neighbourhood Panels website, which has details of all twenty-one of the town's Neighbourhood Panels has had a facelift.
To find contact details for your neighbourhood team, dates and times of Police street meetings and news of Neighbourhood Policing in your area,
visit the Eastbourne Neighbourhood Panels website > >
29th January 2010
New Police Powers to Tackle Underage Drinking
New Police powers to tackle underage drinking in England and Wales have now come into effect. They will make it easier for police to confiscate alcohol, move-on groups of teenagers causing trouble, and stop retailers selling alcohol to children.
The powers were introduced through the Policing and Crime Act, which received Royal Assent in November 2009. They include; making it an new offence for under eighteens to persistently possess alcohol in a public place, extending the police’s powers to issue ‘directions to leave’ to include young people aged ten to fifteen, amending police powers with regard to the confiscation of alcohol, so that they no longer need to prove that the individual ‘intended’ to consume it and changing the offence of persistently selling alcohol to under eighteens from three strikes within three months to two strikes in the same period.
Councillors will now also be able tackle problem premises by calling for a review to restrict or remove an alcohol retailer’s license. Home Office minister Alan Campbell said, ‘The majority of young people are model citizens, but there are a minority that are not.
These powers will make it easier for police to take tough action against those groups whose behaviour can affect a whole community.’ Alongside this, we are challenging young people’s attitudes about binge drinking’.
The new powers are part of a wider government strategy to tackle underage drinking and associated crime and disorder.
12th January 2010
A Message from the Divisional Commander
“New Year, new plans and ideas to Serve Sussex – that’s what we’re aiming for in 2010.
We are starting off the way we mean to go on – with fresh eyes, creativity, and a steely determination to address East Sussex issues for East Sussex people.
With that in mind, I thought you’d like to know that East Sussex Division are teaming up with members of Sussex Police Authority to launch an innovative community engagement event – a Police Virtual Question Time on January 21st, when we will answer public questions on community issues, live across the web.
Don't leave your car unattended with the engine running!
As the mornings turn icy, Sussex Police is reminding motorists that, while it is tempting on cold mornings to turn the engine and blower on and return indoors, it does provide easy pickings for thieves.
Read complete article > >
17th July 2009
Crime prevention advice, Eastbourne
Eastbourne Police are warning residents to take precautions when parking their vehicles in the town to avoid falling prey to opportunistic thieves.
Following a spate of thefts from vehicles, Eastbourne police are reminding vehicle owners to consider the following crime prevention advice when leaving their vehicles:
When you park at home, park on your driveway. If you have no driveway, park the vehicle where there is good lighting.
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Make sure the vehicle is parked in a location where it is in clear view of other people, not obscured from sight by trees or shrubs.
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Always keep your keys in a safe place.
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Always remove your sat-navs, tools or any loose change.
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Make sure you always close the windows and lock the doors.
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Don’t leave any valuables on display.
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Never leave your vehicle’s documents inside the vehicle.
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Van drivers should clearly display a ‘No tools are kept in this van overnight’ poster.
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Register your property for free on Immobilise.com
Police are responding to this with plain clothes patrols aimed at catching the offenders.
Insp Tony Wakefield, Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “ By taking these few simple steps, you can ensure that your vehicle and your valuables are less at risk. We will continue to target areas to ensure less people in Eastbourne become the victims of crime. If you do see anything suspicious please call us there and then and do not leave it until later, this will help us to catch those responsible”
“If you have any information regarding these or other thefts then please contact the police. Should you notice anything untoward, take down the description of the person and contact the police with your suspicions at the time. Information can be left either by phoning our non-emergency number, 0845 60 70 999, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If a crime is currently taking place always phone 999.”
For further information regarding ways to safeguard your property please contact your local Crime prevention officer via the Sussex Police website
9th July 2009
Crime Pays… For Community Renewal
A £4 million pilot programme has been launched to help local groups decide how criminals’ cash can change their communities. The Home Office’s new Community Cashback scheme allows the general public in England and Wales to submit ideas that will reduce crime and anti-social behaviour whilst improving local facilities.
The total value of assets recovered from criminals during the past financial year rose to an all-time high of £148 million, with the Government now keen to divert some of these “ill-gotten gains” back into local projects.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: “The Community Cashback fund will ensure a portion of the ill-gotten gains of criminals are ploughed back into communities at a grassroots level, funding the projects that the public decide will make the most positive difference to their lives.”
Project ideas can be submitted to the relevant Local Criminal Justice Board through a dedicated programme website, while people will also get to have their say on short listed projects in their area.
Encouraging communities to get involved in the initiative, Louise Casey, the Government’s Crime and Justice Adviser, said: “It is only right that the public should have a say on how cash from criminals is spent in their communities. This sends a strong message to the public that the criminal justice system cares about what they think and is on their side.”
Between January and April this year, more than £23 million worth of criminals’ assets were distributed back into frontline public services, with police forces across England and Wales sharing £7 million.
For further information about the pilot and to submit an idea for a potential project, visit the dedicated Community Cashback website
Police Liaison Officers for Seniors
Two Eastbourne Police Officers, PCSO Roy Collins and PCSO Anita Edwards have been given the responsibility of liasing with the town's seniors; they have volunteered to take on this responsibility in addition to their normal duties.
They will also act as an interface between seniors and other agencies that may be able to offer advice or assistance to them.
More information about Roy and Anita can be found on the Sussex Police website or the Eastbourne Neighbourhood Panels website.
Contact Roy on: 0945 60 70 999 x22123
Contact Anita on: 0845 60 70 999 x27004