Eastbourne MP praises police in Parliament for the half term crackdown

Mrs Ansell praised the police in the House of Commons for saving a vulnerable resident from cuckooing. This is the act of taking over the home of a vulnerable person in order to establish a base for illegal drug dealing.

Mrs Ansell asked the Home Secretary Priti Patel, “Will my right honourable friend join me in paying tribute to Sussex Police for their excellent work in such challenging times, and update the house on what further work is being done to address this appalling crime?”

Mrs Patel said, “I thank Sussex Police. I have seen at first hand their work in dealing with county lines, drugs and protecting vulnerable individuals.

“Mrs Ansell is right to highlight this abhorrent crime. We see far too many vulnerable people being used by criminals for criminal purposes. A great deal of work is taking place, in particular on county lines but also on safeguarding victims and vulnerable people.”

Afterwards Mrs Ansell said, “I was very shocked to hear of this appalling activity in our town and I am determined to ensure Sussex Police receive the resources it needs to tackle this offending and also the county lines network criminals use to bring drugs and crime into our town.

“Sussex Police is doing a tremendous job in difficult circumstances and it was right that this was acknowledged in Parliament by myself and the Home Secretary.”