News- Crime Prevention

1st August 2025

Dear Resident.

Please see this month’s news, appeals and crime prevention advice for the Crawley district area,

Apologises for the delay which has been due to my leave and catching up on my return. Thank you 

Recent Arrest

Officers have made 113 arrest during the past 7 days , which have included offences for 

Burglary

ABH

Theft from a shop

Posses with the intent to supply

Drink Driving

Criminal Damage 

News and Appeals

Appeal

Police are seeking the driver of a BMW car that crashed into a Crawley house.

The driver left the scene after the car hit the wall of a house in Winter Gardens, Crawley, at 3.50am on 26 July.

Two men, passengers in the car, are helping police with their enquiries.

Police are not aware of any serious injuries following the collision and are supporting the occupants of the house to establish the extent of the damage caused.  

Anyone who witnessed a white BMW car being driven in the area prior to the collision, or captured CCTV or dash cam footage, is asked to email collision.appeal@sussex.police.uk quoting serial 186 of 26/7.

Crawley stabbing: Teenager charged with wounding with intent

A teenage boy has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after a 17-year-old boy was stabbed in Crawley.

Emergency services were called to Martyrs Avenue in Langley Green at around 9.50pm on Thursday (17 July) to reports of a stabbing.

The victim was taken to hospital where he remains in a stable condition.

The suspect also aged 17 who cannot be named for legal reasons, has also been charged with possession of a bladed article and making threats with a bladed article in a public place.

He has been remanded in custody to appear before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Monday (21 July).

A 37-year-old woman from Crawley who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on bail.

Superintendent Imran Asghar said: “We understand the impact this incident has had on the local community and their concerns. We take any such offences of this nature very seriously and we have been working tirelessly to investigate and bring those responsible to account.

“Our officers remain in the area to offer reassurance and to help, so if you have any concerns please do not hesitate to approach them.”

Detectives are still appealing for witnesses to the incident or anyone with information or footage that could help with the investigation, to report online or phone 101, quoting Operation Northham.

Summer initiative cracks down on town centre crime and anti-social behaviour

As Sussex gets busy this summer there will be increased activity by police and partners as Sussex joins the Safer Streets Summer town centre initiative.   

This is a national campaign supported by the Home Office to tackle crime, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour in town centres throughout the summer and until the end of September.

Expect to see increased visible police patrols and officers working directly with businesses and the community to tackle issues.

Increased police presence, quick response times and targeted action will see police, councils and other partners targeting concerns that affect communities most.

The initiative to create safer, thriving town centres is supported by hotspot policing funding.

Safer Streets Summer follows on from the success of hotspot policing in Sussex, fully implemented a year ago after being piloted in the county.  Read more here 

Nearly 200kg of drugs seized during County Lines Intensification Week

Officers across Sussex have seized over 198kg of drugs, nearly £160,000 in cash, 19 weapons, 12 phones linked to drugs lines, and made 65 arrests as part of County Lines Intensification Week.

On 24 June, a search warrant was carried out at a property in Old London Road, Hastings, leading to the arrest of five men and the seizure of drugs and money (image above).

Officers seized:

A 21-year-old man from Hastings was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs, and possession with intent to supply a Class C drug.

Another 21-year-old man from Hastings was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A, B and C drugs.

A 26-year-old man from Hastings was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs, and possession of a Class C drug.

An 18-year-old man from Reading, Berkshire, and a 27-year-old man from Hastings, were also arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class C drug.

All five men have since been released on bail while investigations remain ongoing.

Throughout the week, more than 110 vehicle and individual stop and searches were conducted across Sussex.

On June 25, officers in Brighton stopped a Volkswagen Passat that was suspected to be involved in drug dealing.

The vehicle was spotted in Richmond Parade in Brighton and later in Grand Parade heading southbound.

Officers approached the vehicle while it stopped in Church Street, and a search was undertaken where drugs and cash was seized.

A 22-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug and for driving without third party insurance. He has been bailed pending further

During County Lines Intensification Week, teams across Sussex Police have also been working in collaboration with British Transport Police to conduct stop and searches at railway stations.

On 24 June in a joint operation at Three Bridges station, a 26-year-old man from Thornton Heath, London, was arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs. He has been bailed while enquiries continue. Weapons were also seized during other activity throughout the day of the operation. Read more here  enquiries. Read more about county lines including how to support people and how to report county lines drug dealing here.

Key arrests and charges made in crackdown on shoplifting

Operation Apprentice, the Sussex-wide operation to tackle prolific shoplifters, has led to a series of key arrests and charges.

“We understand the financial and personal impact of shoplifting on business owners, employees and the wider community,” said Sussex Police business crime lead Chris Neilson. 

“Repeat offenders cause the most harm to businesses, and our dedicated Business Crime Team uses every avenue available to tackle persistent shoplifters, change their behaviour and protect retailers.”

Recent arrests and charges as part of Operation Apprentice include the following

Read more here- 

Advice and prevention

Summer road safety campaign tackles 'fatal five' offences

Officers from Surrey Police and Sussex Police will join a nationwide campaign to tackle the fatal five causes of collisions on our roads

July sees the highest number of people killed or seriously injured on the UK road network and Operation Spotlight is a targeted national operation to make our roads safer for everyone.

The fatal five factors are; drink and drug driving, mobile phone use at the wheel, not wearing a seatbelt, excessive speed, and dangerous or careless driving.

Between 2018 and 2023, there were 3,558 fatal or serious collisions reported nationally involving these behaviours. Each casualty is one too many and every such collision will have a profound effect on all that are involved.

Pegasus scheme

Our Pegasus scheme is for people who find it hard to communicate with us – we keep your pre-registered information safe on our computer and we can access it quickly if you call us. You don't need to repeat all your details.

Who can register?

Home security

Follow our advice here to keep your home safe from burglary, damage, doorstep theft, fly-tipping and squatters: protect your valuables, safeguard your building and secure your outside.

Preventing car and vehicle theft

Don't let thieves get an easy ride. Follow these simple rules to protect your vehicle from thieves.

What's happening in your area?

Visit the web site here to find your local officer, get the latest crime statistics and advice,  and find out what we’re doing to tackle crime in your area plus events and local meeting updates. 

Have  lovely weekend

Trisha

Contact Us For non-emergency incidents or crime prevention advice, click www.sussex.police.uk, (If you report a crime online, we will assess it in the same way as a 101 call). Call 101 when you do not require an urgent response. In an emergency when life is threatened or there is immediate danger always call 999. Speak to us face-to-face at a police station or contact the local policing team at www.sussex.police.uk/area/your-area. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired, you can contact us using TypeTalk on 18000 or by sending a text to 65999.