Updates from Rother/Hastings Neighbourhood Policing Teams

Help us keep Sussex safe

If you see or hear anything, or have any information about any incident in this message please contact us online, or call 101. 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. 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.

Engagement

We had a fun morning at St Mary’s School after being invited to chat to year 8 students about what role the police play in the community. Afterwards they got to come outside and mess about with some of the riot shields we had in the back of the van.

Old Town Hastings

With previous reports of youngsters causing damage and anti-social behaviour in the Old Town, I took a stroll, in the hope of bumping into them, sadly no luck. Pretty quiet but lovely evening.

Please continue to report any anti-social behaviour or other issues, online or call us on 101.

And again, patrolling Rock a Nore and Old Town on Wednesday evening. This splendid view was too good to miss. Our work around the reported criminal damage and ASB in the area has taken effect, children and parents spoken to seems to have done the trick.

Fairlight

This morning, while in Fairlight, I had the chance to drop into Fairlight village hall and chat with local residents at their coffee morning. This was a great opportunity to speak with everyone and answer any questions they may have, also giving them the chance to tell me about any issues that may be emerging in the village.

Patrols

While the sergeant and I conducted high visibility patrols in Rock a Nore last week, after receiving reports of criminal damage in the area, we had the opportunity to speak with local residents. We take your concerns seriously, so it was great to chat to those that had been affected by the ASB to reassure them that certain individuals had been spoken to. If we know about it, we can deal with it.

Swimmers!

While patrolling Pett Level, #Rye, I met some local swimmers – yes, you read that right, a group of swimmers swimming in the sea on a very cold day! Total respect. I was invited to join them, but sadly I was on duty, which I was rather pleased about.

RSPCA

Hastings Neighbourhood Officers teamed up with Zoe Ballard a Sussex Group Officer with the RSPCA to visit a home in St Leonards for an animal welfare check. After chatting with the owner and seeing the animal, Zoe stated “I’m happy to report that there are no welfare concerns for the animal at this time”.

Please do not hesitate to contact us or the RSPCA regarding any concerns you may have regarding animal welfare issues. You can report direct to the RSPA via the following link. 

Bexhill Community Speedwatch group have been very busy during the month of January, recording 235 vehicles driving at 20% or more above the designated speed limit. Turkey Road, Sutherland Avenue, Pear Tree Lane, Birkdale, Cooden Sea Road and Cooden Drive were visited by the Speedwatch group after reports of vehicles travelling at excess speed, with one driver  being reported for driving at 52mph in a 30mph zone in Ninfield Road. Several drivers were found to be exceeding the speed limit on the road to Little Common School, and at the time, they did not have a school crossing patrol present. We would ask drivers to be mindful of their speed, especial close to school locations.

The Community speedwatch group have had further volunteers join increasing the size of their team, and they are all committed to road safety particularly in urban locations. Thank you to all the volunteers that give up their valuable time to help keep Sussex Roads safe for all users.

Is it a Scam?

Scammers are using increasingly credible-sounding stories to defraud their victims and we know that elderly or vulnerable people are persistently targeted by the scammers, so it’s important that these messages are seen by everyone.

Please pass this advice on to anyone that you know does not have social media and is unlikely to see this message.

🔴 You are contacted by someone falsely claiming they work for the police.

🔴 The fraudster tells you that someone has been arrested while trying to use a bank card or cloned bank card in your name.

🔴 They may ask you to call back via 999 or another number to confirm who they are,  Don’t be fooled – they stay on the line, asking you to read out or key in your PIN. If possible, call us from a different phone.

🔴 A police force would never ask a member of the public for their bank details or money over the phone. If you receive a similar call, the advice is to hang up immediately and report it.

Further advice

🔵 If you are not confident a person claiming to be a police officer is genuine, ask to take their details and then end the call.

🔵 Wait for at least five minutes for the call to clear and then contact 101, or 999 in an emergency. A call handler will be able to verify whether your caller was genuine.

🔵 Never hand over any money, or other items, to a courier after receiving this type of call.

You can also contact Action Fraud on 0300 1232040 or report suspicious activity online by visiting their website. The matter can also be reported to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or by using the online form on their website.

Arrest

We have arrested a 38-year-old man in connection with a stabbing in Old Ladies Court, near Battle High Street, on Tuesday morning. A 21-year-old man from Battle suffered serious leg injuries consistent with being stabbed. He was taken to hospital for treatment but has now been discharged. An investigation was launched and enquiries, including witness statements and CCTV searches, were completed by detectives during the day and overnight. Efforts are ongoing to arrest a second suspect also believed to be involved in the assault. Read more here