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News and Updates for Rother


News and Updates for Rother

 

Last week, we had the wonderful opportunity to visit Sedlescombe Pre-School, where we spent time teaching the children about the dangers of the road and how to cross the road safely.

We chatted about the importance of staying alert, looking both ways, and using crossings properly. Road safety was at the heart of our visit, and the children showed great enthusiasm in learning how to stay safe.

We also brought along a collection of vibrant pictures showcasing the many different roles within the police. The children were especially excited to try on the uniforms we brought with us—there were plenty of smiles and laughter as they dressed up like real officers!

To round off the visit, we let them explore the inside of our police van, which was an absolute highlight of the day!

 

You said –

Speeding along De La Warr Road, Bexhill.

We did –

We conducted speed check to address community concerns through a speed enforcement.

We carried out speed checks in a 30mph zone, where many drivers were recorded travelling between 38mph and 47mph. The vehicles were stopped, and the drivers were spoken to, receiving words of advice as we aimed to educate them about the dangers of these speeds and the potential consequences on our roads. One driver was found to be using a mobile phone and driving without insurance; these offences were dealt with at the roadside.

It is important to emphasise that speeding remains one of the critical factors in the Fatal5 significantly increasing the likelihood of severe injury or fatalities on our roads. 

Our job is to ensure the safety of our community, and we will continue to prioritise responsible driving — the objective is, everyone gets home safely. 

Fatal 5:

•              Drink/drug driving

•              Speeding

•              Distractions – such as using a mobile phone

•              Careless and dangerous driving

•              No seatbelt

 

🚓 Community Meetings

 

 Pebsham
📍 Location: Pebsham Community Hub Car Park, Seabourne Road, Bexhill
📆 Date: Sunday, 15th June
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM – 1 PM

If you live or work in Pebsham, please come along and meet your local Neighbourhood Officers. This is a great opportunity to share your concerns, discuss local issues, and help shape how resources are allocated to best support our community. 

Local councillor for Pebsham and St Michaels Gareth Delany will also be in attendance.

 

You're Invited! 

📍 Fairlight Village Hall, The Broadway, (Drop-In Social Hub - DISH) on 

📆 Monday, 2nd June 

11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

This is a fantastic opportunity for residents and local businesses in Fairlight, Pett Level, Pett Village, and Winchelsea to meet their officers, share concerns, and discuss any issues affecting the community.

Whether you have a question, a concern, or just want to say hello — we’d love to see you there!

 

🚓 Little Common
📍 Location: Little Common, Bexhill (alongside Carlys’ Café )
📆 Date: Thursday 5th June
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM 

If you live or work in Little Common, please come along and meet your local Neighbourhood Officers. This is a great opportunity to share your concerns, discuss local issues, and help shape how resources are allocated to best support our community. 

Local councillor Connor Winter will also be in attendance.

 

Sidley

📍 Location: The Pelham, Holliers Hill, Bexhill
📆 Date: Monday 2nd June
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM

Please join your local Neighbourhood Officers for discussions about our community, issues or concerns, and ask questions, or simply say hello.

 

🚓 Rye Cattle Market Car Park, 

📍 Location:  Cattle Market Car Park, Rye
📆 Date: Sunday 15th June
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM 

If you live or work in Rye Town, please come along and meet your local Neighbourhood Officers. This is a great opportunity to share your concerns, discuss local issues, and help shape how resources are allocated to best support our community. 

Local councillors have also been invited. Let’s work together to keep our community safe and connected!


We look forward to seeing you there!

 

It was such a pleasure meeting everyone at Staplecross Village Hall during our recent community meeting! We had some great conversations with residents from the local area, including Ewhurst and Cripps Corner, who came together for the Community Open Space event.

During our chats, we heard concerns from local residents about speeding, noisy vehicles (especially in the evenings), anti-social behaviour, and the smell of drug use. These discussions are so important in helping us understand what matters most to you and how we can better support our communities.

Staplecross warmly welcomes local residents—including those from Ewhurst and Cripps Corner—to join their Community Open Space events, where you can enjoy a light lunch, drinks, and great company. It’s a wonderful way for neighbours to catch up over coffee and a meal, all kindly provided by the Parish Council. 💛

Events like this remind us just how strong and supportive our community is.

A huge thank you to Sue and David for having us, and the amazing volunteers who serve up teas and lunch with a smile!

 

Throughout the week and over the weekend, our officers continued foot patrols in Bexhill, giving us valuable opportunities to engage with residents, shoppers, and members of the local business community.

Your input is vital. By letting us know when and where incidents occur, you help us direct our resources to the areas that need them most. While we can’t be everywhere at once, we can focus our patrols where they’ll have the greatest impact.

The introduction of the new DISC system has made it easier for businesses to share important information with one another, helping to raise awareness of potential suspects in the area. However, it’s equally important that businesses report incidents directly to us so we can officially record and respond to crimes.

If your business is not yet signed up to DISC and you’d like to learn more, we’d be happy to help. Please get in touch with us via www.sussex.police.uk, and we can arrange for a local officer to speak with you.

 

🚓 Mini Deputies on Patrol!

While out on patrol in Burwash yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting some very enthusiastic young deputies—and their equally curious parents! They were eager to explore the patrol vehicle and learn about all the equipment we carry.

Everyone received stickers (a big hit!), and there was even a cheeky attempt to keep my road marking chalk—though I explained I might still need it! 😄

Parents snapped photos of their little ones dressed up in uniform, and there were plenty of big smiles all around.

We also shared information with parents about Neighbourhood Alerts—a great way to stay informed about what’s happening in your area. If you haven’t signed up yet, it’s quick and easy!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by!

 

While out on patrol, we spotted a driver using a mobile phone behind the wheel. The vehicle was stopped on De La Warr Road, Bexhill, and a Traffic Offence Report was issued.

We remain committed to tackling dangerous driving behaviours. Offences like this fall under the Fatal 5—the top five contributing factors to serious injuries and fatalities on our roads.

📵 Speeding
📵 Drink/Drug Driving
📵 Not Wearing a Seatbelt
📵 Careless Driving
📵 Using a Mobile Phone While Driving

Let’s work together to keep Sussex roads safe.

 

There has been a rise in motorbike thefts in the Hastings area. The police are aware of the situation and recognise how upsetting this is for everyone affected. We recently spoke with a number of motorbike owners at our Alexandra Park community meeting, where concerns about thefts increasing in recent weeks were raised. We are actively looking at ways to address these issues, but we do need your help.

If you see anything suspicious, or are the victim of a theft, please report it immediately. Your information is vital. We also encourage you to use the following tips to secure your motorbike and make it much more difficult and time-consuming for a thief to succeed. The more barriers you put in place, the less likely your bike is to be targeted.

🔐 If possible, keep your motorbike out of sight—park it in a garage or a secure garden. Keeping it off the road can also help reduce your insurance premiums.

⛓️ Locks and Chains
Invest in a quality motorbike lock. A disc lock can secure the front brake disc, or you might use a grip lock on the brake and throttle controls. A chain lock threaded through the back wheel is best, as the front wheel can easily be removed. Whenever possible, secure your bike with the lock pulled tight to something immovable, such as a ground anchor or street furniture. Alternatively, thread the chain through both the frame and back wheel.

🚨 Alarms
An alarm can be an effective deterrent. Please ensure any alarm you use is an approved device.

🏍️ Motorbike Covers
Whenever you can, cover your motorbike. This not only helps deter thieves, but also protects your bike from the weather.

🪛 Disable Your Motorbike
A simple step like removing the spark plug or HT cap can also put off would-be thieves.

🖲️ Trackers

If the thieves do manage to steal your bike, a tracker fitted to the vehicle could help locate the motorbike and possibly the offenders.

Together, we can make it far harder for thieves to operate in Hastings. Thank you for your vigilance and support.

 

 🚜 Rural Crime Alert – Rise in Agricultural Equipment Thefts 🚨

We’ve seen an increase in thefts of agricultural equipment across rural areas in Rother. These crimes not only cause financial loss but also disrupt vital work in our farming communities.

🔍 What’s being targeted?
Thieves are targeting:

  • Tractors and quad bikes
  • Power tools and hand tools
  • GPS systems and fuel
  • Trailers and other farm machinery
  • 🛡️ Protect your property – here are some key precautions you can take:

    🔒 Secure your equipment

  • Always lock up machinery and tools when not in use
  • Use heavy-duty locks and secure storage units
  • 📸 Record and mark your valuables

  • Take clear photos of all valuable items
  • Record serial numbers and keep them in a safe place
  • Use property marking kits or forensic marking solutions
  • 📍 Install deterrents

  • Fit GPS trackers to high-value equipment
  • Install CCTV and motion-activated lighting around storage areas
  • Display warning signs to deter opportunistic thieves
  • 👀 Stay alert and report suspicious activity
    If you see anything unusual, report it to the police immediately. Your information could help prevent further crimes and protect your neighbours.

    Let’s work together to keep our rural communities safe and secure. 

     

    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.

     


    Reply to this message

    Message Sent By
    Sharon Eldridge
    (Police, District Engagement Officer, Hastings & Rother)

    Neighbourhood Alert Cyber Essentials