6th July 2010
Crime Reduction Partnership July Newsletter
999 Display 2010
The 23rd Eastbourne 999 show returns to Western Lawns on 10th and 11th July. The Crime Reduction Partnership proudly sponsors the event and will have a stand in the main display tent where you can speak to Officers from the Partnership, have your say on crime in Eastbourne and pick up information about keeping you safe.
The weekend will see demonstrations by all of the emergency services, in the main arena, in the air and on the sea. Demonstrations will include a display by Police handlers and their dogs, a simulated cliff rescue by the Coast Guard, rescue from a damaged car by the ambulance and Fire Service and fly overs by Police, Ambulance and Coastguard helicopters. The fire service will also be demonstrating how they deal with a chip fat fire.
The French National Gendarmerie will be present and in a new display for this year, the Horsham Working Newfoundlands will be putting on a sea demonstration.
3rd July 2010
District Commander's July Message
"Summer really does feel like it has arrived and what better place to be than Eastbourne? We are well into the policing plan year and the figures are looking good. I continue with my aim to reduce year on year crime in Eastbourne and am please to say that total crime is
currently down by 5.9% that is 121 fewer crimes, 121 fewer victims. The summer months are a busy time for us for a number of reasons, and we have in previous years seen a slight increase in reported crime and anti-social behaviour during this period. However, we are planning ahead to prevent as many of these issues as we can."
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 > >
27th April 2010
Operation Echelon (Eastbourne 2003 Double murder - Arson attack)
'Detectives from Sussex Police's Major Crime Branch have this morning, Tuesday 27 April, arrested a man on suspicion of a six year old double murder in Eastbourne.
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.
17th December 2009
Arson – Eastbourne
Police are appealing for information following an arson at a block of flats in Ceylon Place, Eastbourne, just before 2:00pm on Tuesday, December 15. Ceylon Place was briefly closed while East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the fire.
There was minor damage to a communal hallway on the top floor of the building. Nobody was injured.
Detective Constable Julian Harris said: "This could have been a very damaging fire and as such we are treating this incident very seriously. We urge anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious around the time of the fire to contact us."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999, quoting Serial 860 of 15/1
Reduce the risk of losing your purse
The Crime Reduction Partnership and Eastbourne Police are encouraging the public to take more care of purses and bags in the run up to Christmas.
The loss of a purse is frustrating at any time of the year but as we approach Christmas it is one extra pressure people could do without.
Purses become lost for a number of reasons, they fall out of bags, get left on car roofs and are occasionally stolen by opportunistic thieves.
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
Mobile phone scam
If you receive a phone call on your mobile from any person, saying that he or she is a company engineer, or telling that they're checking your mobile line, and you have to press #90 or #09 or any other number, end this call immediately without pressing any keys.
There is a fraud company using a device that once you press #90 or #09 they can access your 'SIM' card and make calls at your expense.
Forward this information to as many colleagues, relatives and friends as you can, to stop it.
Sussex Police advice is: "if anyone is not sure of the callers identification or whether they are calling for genuine reasons that the person should end the call immediately."