News- Crime Prevention-Events

1st August 2025

Dear Resident

Please see this month’s news, appeals and crime prevention advice for Mid Sussex district area/

Recent Arrest

113 arrests were made 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 

From the latest appeal for Assault on a youth in Haywards Heath, 

Police, investigating an assault on a boy in Haywards Heath on Monday (28 July), have made three arrests.

The suspects, aged 19, 21 and 23 and from the Mid Sussex area, have been arrested for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The arrests follow fast-paced enquiries and searches, while forensic evidence was gathered at the scene.

The 16-year-old boy, who was struck by a blue-coloured car and assaulted with weapons, is being treated at hospital, where his condition is said to be stable. All of those involved are known to each other.

Detective Inspector Gary Jacobs said: “Intensive work has been done to identify and arrest three people in relation to this targeted assault and for operational reasons we weren’t able to provide further details at the time.

“It happened in a busy town centre and we asked for witnesses. The response from the public has been tremendous and they have been able to provide us with evidence to help our investigation. I would like to appeal to anyone who witnessed or has dashcam footage from when the car drove from the area of the railway station and when it left the scene of the incident.”

 Chief Inspector Steve Turner said: “We were quick to secure early arrests for this targeted assault. However, I understand the impact this incident has had on the community and concerns about safety.

“We have put extra visible patrols in the area and these will continue. If you have any concerns please stop and talk to the officers, who are there to offer support.

“Visible and targeted police patrols will be boosted this summer with a campaign to deter and respond to crime in town centres, with us working with partners to respond to the concerns of the community. These are in addition to existing hotspot police patrols to help drive down crime and help make people feel safe.

“If you have any concerns in your area please report it. It is important that we get that information from you to direct our resources to where they are needed.”

Anyone who saw the incident or has relevant dashcam or CCTV footage is asked to contact police on 101 or online, quoting serial 1144 of 28/07.

Two men charged in killing a sheep near Ditchling Beacon

Two men have been charged in connection with the killing of a sheep on the South Downs near the Ditchling Beacon.

Police were called on Monday, 6 November, 2023, to a report of a sheep having been attacked near Ditchling Beacon on the evening of Thursday, 2 November.

An investigation was launched and two men were swiftly arrested.

Leighton Ashby, 31, of Beckett Road in Ashford, Kent, and Oakley Hollands, 20, of Mussenden Lane in Horton Kirby, Kent, have now been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

They will appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 7 August.

Superintendent Rachel Swinney said: “This report was treated with the seriousness it deserved, and a thorough investigation was carried out.

“We have also engaged with the owner of the sheep, local farmers and the wider community to provide reassurance and advice.

“I would urge the public not to speculate on the details of this incident while the court process is ongoing.”

“We have also engaged with the owner of the sheep, local farmers and the wider community to provide reassurance and advice.

“I would urge the public not to speculate on the details of this incident while the court process is ongoing.”

Further appeal after motorcyclist dies in a collision in Haywards Heath

A motorcyclist died after being involved in a collision on A272 Rocky Lane, near the junction with Cedar Avenue, Haywards Heath, on Friday (25 July) at around 10.20pm.

A police unit that was nearby gave life-saving support before the ambulance arrived but unfortunately the local man, aged 22, sadly died at the scene.

Specialist officers are liaising with and supporting his family.

Police are investigating that the motorcycle had been involved in a collision with a BMW and Skoda car.

They urge anyone who may have witnessed the motorcycle being ridden prior to the collision, or captured CCTV or dash cam footage, to email collision.appeal@sussex.police.uk quoting Operation Ninewest.

Sussex Police is reviewing the incident, and as a police vehicle was in the vicinity at the time, it has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as is the standard procedure.

Man, 32, jailed after residential burglary spree

A man who committed a series of residential break-ins in Crawley Down has been jailed.

The incidents occurred in the vicinity of Bowers Place in the early hours of 22 March this year.

Tony Cooper, 32, of no fixed address, was tracked down in his vehicle on the A27 near Arundel two days later and arrested.

He was charged with fraud by false representation, four counts of attempted burglary and three counts of theft from a vehicle, and remanded in custody to appear before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 26 March, where he pleaded guilty to all offences.

He was further remanded in custody and appeared before Portsmouth Crown Court on 4 July, where he was sentenced to a total of 21 months’ imprisonment.

Detective Inspector Lee Simmonds, of Crawley CID, said: “We recognise the financial and emotional distress burglaries can have on residents in the community, and that’s why we work with our partners to issue safety advice and ensure any offenders are brought to justice.

“While nothing was reported stolen during most of these break-ins, Cooper still made a conscious decision to force entry into people’s homes – a place where they should be able to feel safe – as they slept.

“In this spell of warm weather, I’d like to take this opportunity to remind residents to take preventative steps to protect their homes from burglars. Keep all windows and doors locked and secure, especially if you are out or in the garden, do not leave any valuables on display and consider investing in security measures.”

You can read more burglary prevention advice on our website here.

A 39-year-old man from Bognor Regis and a 24-year-old man from Croydon were also arrested in connection with the incidents; they remain released under investigation at this time.

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 enquiries. 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 

Man arrested after woman touched and followed in Handcross

Police are appealing for information following a report of a man assaulting a woman in Nymans Woods in Handcross on Thursday (3 July).

A woman in her 20s reported being touched by a man and followed into town at around 7.45am.

Officers attended and arrested a 33-year-old man on suspicion of common assault. He has been released on bail with strict conditions while enquiries continue.

Safeguarding measures have been put in place to ensure the victim is safe and supported.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident, or noticed anything suspicious in the area, to report online or via 101, quoting serial 250 of 03/07.

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- 

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?

Please note registration is free, apply here 

Crime prevention advice

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.

Have a good weekend

Kind regards

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.