Police Beat

Venice is a wonderful city and I would thoroughly recommend it for a long weekend break. One thing occurred to me repeatedly during my stay there and in fact on previous trips abroad. What is quite apparent every time I go away are the levels of damage, graffiti, broken pavements and general incivility. It made coming home quite refreshing.

Anyway, I digress. What's been going on in Rother over the last month or so?

I have lately received some end of season analysis of the results of our efforts in terms of anti-social behaviour in Bexhill. As you know, I increased staffing over the summer and a dispersal order was put in place to deal in particular with youth disorder. What is very obvious from the research is that as soon as police and partnership activity started to bite, levels of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour came down dramatically. We are not complacent and will continue this work as a priority.

I was present at the Sussex Police Authority meeting at the Manor Barn in Bexhill on 8th October. The meeting, hosted by Laurie Bush (SPA representative for Rother) provoked some interesting and lively debate. I was pleased to hear feedback regarding improved quality of life for some residents.

The main issue of the evening was quite clearly the improper use of mopeds in Bexhill. I will be looking at this issue along with my colleagues in Roads Policing to see what can be done to address antisocial driving by the minority of moped riders.

Other issues raised include heavy goods vehicles using roads which are too narrow, the effect that the smoking ban has had on forcing people out of licensed premises onto the street to talk, and speeding, particularly in the rural areas. I have taken all of these issues away and will be looking at them over the coming months.

This month sees a new sergeant structure roll out across the district. Sgt Berry (Rye), Sgt Porter (Battle) and A/Sgt Sim (Bexhill) will be available for contact regarding neighbourhood issues. Please visit the Sussex Police website for details of your local officers.

Car crime seems to be the greatest issue affecting the district as a whole. I still see endless reports of people having left valuables in their vehicles whilst unattended.

I find it difficult to fathom why anyone would leave hard earned valuables in their car with only a piece of glass between them and a thief. Whilst I know this property is largely insured, I really must ask everyone to take a more responsible attitude towards their own property.

Likewise, with the winter setting in and dark evenings coming on us, it is all too easy to identify those houses where there is no one in. We haven't yet seen a seasonal increase in burglary but the district has suffered a pre-Christmas increase in burglary for the last couple of years.

Make sure you leave lights on when you are out and if you spot anything suspicious report it, then and there.

Notwithstanding these current trends, Rother district's Crime Reduction Partnership has recorded some excellent results since the beginning of the performance year and there are currently big reductions in all areas of criminality.

You may recall I warned of bogus charity collectors in my last message. We have caught some of the youths who had been collecting money for bogus charity events because someone called it in, got a description and noted the direction of travel for the suspects. Proof that if you 'think' there's something wrong, there probably is and you need to report it.

Also, as a result of a timely call, Bexhill Police have caught a prolific graffiti artist who has admitted a long string of offences and who will be dealt with over the next few weeks.

Bexhill residents may have noted the increase in traffic warden coverage recently. Two traffic wardens are on loan from Eastbourne pending the review of parking there. I am pleased to be able to meet local concerns with these extra resources.