Chief Constable Martin Richards says "Sussex Police is dedicated to Serving Sussex. Our priorities are Neighbourhood Policing, Keeping People Safe and Making Best Use
of Resources.

For us, the Policing Pledge, which has now been agreed nationally, is very much business as usual. We want to do our best for you but if we fail to meet our pledge, we will always explain why it has not been possible on that occasion to deliver the high standard to which we aspire and you deserve in our commitment to Serving Sussex."

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The Policing Pledge explained

The Police Service in England and Wales will support law abiding citizens and pursue criminals relentlessly to keep you and your neighbourhoods safe and from harm. We will:

1) Always treat you fairly with dignity and respect ensuring you have fair access to our services at a time that is reasonable and suitable for you.

2) Provide you with information so you know who your dedicated Neighbourhood Policing Team is, where they are based, how to contact them and how to work with them.

3) Ensure your Neighbourhood Policing Team and other police patrols are visible and on your patch at times when they will be most effective and when you tell us you most need them. We will ensure your team are not taken away from neighbourhood business more than is absolutely necessary. They will spend at least 80% of their time visibly working in your neighbourhood, tackling your priorities. Staff turnover will be minimised.

4) Respond to every message directed to your Neighbourhood Policing Team within 24 hours and, where necessary, provide a more detailed response as soon as we can.

5) Aim to answer 999 calls within ten seconds, deploying to emergencies immediately giving an estimated time of arrival, getting to you safely, and as quickly as possible. We will aim to get to you within 15 minutes.

6) Answer all non-emergency calls promptly. If attendance is needed, send a patrol giving you an estimated time of arrival, and:

• If you are vulnerable or upset aim to be with you within 60 minutes.
• If you are calling about an issue that we have agreed with your community will be a neighbourhood priority and attendance is required, we will aim to be with you within 60 minutes.
• Alternatively, if appropriate, we will make an appointment to see you at a time that fits in with your life and within 48 hours.
• If agreed that attendance is not necessary we will give you advice, answer your questions and / or put you in touch with someone who can help. Read our FAQ page for further information.
  
  

7) Arrange regular public meetings to agree your priorities, at least once a month, giving you a chance to meet your local team with other members of your community. These will include opportunities such as surgeries, street briefings and mobile police station visits which will be arranged to meet local needs and requirements. Visit your local Neighbourhood Policing Team.

8) Provide monthly updates on progress, and on local crime and policing issues. This will include the provision of crime maps, information on specific crimes and what happened to those brought to justice, details of what action we and our partners are taking to make your neighbourhood safer and information on how your force is performing. Use our crime mapping facility.

9) If you have been a victim of crime agree with you how often you would like to be kept informed of progress in your case and for how long. You have the right to be kept informed at least every month if you wish and for as long as is reasonable. Use our victim update facility.

10) Acknowledge any dissatisfaction with the service you have received within 24 hours of reporting it to us. To help us fully resolve the matter, discuss with you how it will be handled, give you an opportunity to talk in person to someone about your concerns and agree with you what will be done about them and how quickly. Contact us to discuss your needs.



Sussex Police and The Policing Pledge

1) The quality of our services directly affects how successful we are - communities that are confident in their police are more likely to report crime and act as witnesses. Sussex Police is committed to promoting equality, fairness and respect for all sections of the community; our aim is to provide a service that recognises, understands and applies the experience and needs of all communities in our decision making and service delivery.

2) Neighbourhood Policing Teams cover every part of Sussex. They are made up of Police Officers, Police Community Support Officers and Police Staff supported by Special Constables, local authority staff, volunteers and other partners. You can find out who your local officer is and when you can next meet them via our website, your local police station or by contacting us by phone or e-mail.

3) In Sussex each of our 230 neighbourhoods has a named officer assigned to it, making policing more visible and more accessible. To ensure local officers are given every opportunity to become a familiar face in the neighbourhood, we intend to minimise staff changes and make certain that they are not taken away from working there unless absolutely necessary. Officers will spend at least 80% of their time delivering a service that addresses local concerns, working with local people to find solutions. Neighbourhood teams are supported by local response teams and other specialist units providing coverage through the day and night.

4) When you contact the police concerning an issue for your local neighbourhood team, we will do all we can to resolve your immediate concerns. This will be followed, where necessary by a fuller response from your local team.

5) Neighbourhood Response Teams provide the essential 999 emergency service responding to crimes and incidents when you need and expect a ‘quick-time’ service. It is our absolute intention to be there when you most need assistance.

6) If you are calling about an issue that we have agreed with your community will be a neighbourhood priority and attendance is required, we will aim to be with you within 60 minutes.

Our call grading and deployment policy determines how calls are prioritised, taking into account the risk and vulnerability of those needing our assistance. Where a community has agreed local priorities with their Neighbourhood Policing Team, it is our aim, when appropriate, to attend within 60 minutes to demonstrate our commitment to taking community priorities seriously.

• Alternatively, if appropriate, we will make an appointment to see you at a time that fits in with your life and within 48 hours.

Calls that do not require an immediate attendance will be dealt with by your local station. An officer will contact you within 48 hours of reporting the matter to arrange a mutually convenient time to meet you.

• If agreed that attendance is not necessary we will give you advice, answer your questions and or put you in touch with someone who can help.

If it is agreed our attendance is not required our call takers will provide you with the appropriate information to deal with your enquiry, or refer you to another agency who can help.

7) Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams work with the community to identify the issues that really matter locally and agree neighbourhood priorities. We are committed to working with you and community partners to find solutions to these priorities and meet regularly to update you on progress, highlighting what action is being taken, and when necessary identify new priorities. Details of your local priorities and where to meet your local team are available via our website, your local police station or by contacting us by phone or e-mail.

8) We believe it is important you are kept informed of issues affecting your neighbourhood. Monthly updates are available from your Neighbourhood Policing Team, our web site and your local station.

9) The Policing Pledge reaffirms the importance of supporting victims and witnesses . We will agree a victim contract with you and clearly explain how and when we will update you in relation to our investigation.

10) We always want to do our best for you, however if you are dissatisfied with the service you have received, we will always acknowledge, investigate and update you as quickly as possible.