Increased visible patrols have helped create safer town centres this winter

Officers have helped create safer town centres this winter through increased visible patrols to deter and respond to crime.

The increased police presence - more than 4000 hours of additional high visibility patrols in December and January – led to 55 stop searches and 319 arrests for crimes such as retail crime, robbery, assault and sexual offences.

During the extra patrols in crime hotspot areas, officers engaged with 25,300 people as they and partners stepped up activity as part of the national Safer Streets Winter of Action initiative.

The national initiative targeted town centre criminality, shop theft, street crime, and anti-social behaviour. It also addressed issues in the night-time economy, with a particular focus on tackling violence against women, alcohol-related disorder, and spiking.

Working closely with councils, retailers, Night Safety Marshals, Business Crime Reduction Partnerships, health services and community groups, officers focused on early intervention, visible enforcement and problem-solving approaches in each town.

There were significant prison sentences for prolific shoplifters.

Jamil Davies, 35, of Brighton, was charged with 17 shoplifting offences and eight breaches of criminal behaviour orders and he was jailed for two years and two months at Lewes Crown Court on 19 January.

Andrew Short, 43 of Upper Avenue, Eastbourne was jailed for six months. He was arrested for failing to appear in relation to five shopliftings and charged with a further three shopliftings.

Carly Smart, 34, from Brighton, appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court on 14 January in relation to nine shoplifting offences and common assault and was jailed for 26 weeks and granted a three-year criminal behaviour order.

Jade Seymour, 37, from Brighton was charged with four shoplifting offences and two breaches of a criminal behaviour order and sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment.

Three people from Worthing were charged and found guilty of 41 offences - 28 shoplifting offences and 13 community behaviour order breaches.   

The Live Facial Recognition van was deployed in Hastings, Brighton, Eastbourne, Crawley, Worthing and Bognor Regis in December. More than 180,300 faces were scanned, generating 61 alerts and resulting in six arrests. The arrests included production of class A drugs, domestic stalking and assault, importation of cannabis and sexual assault.​

The Winter of Action initiative forms part of a national effort supported by hotspot policing funding and long-term plans to strengthen neighbourhood policing.

There were also diversionary activities for young people to help drive down crime and make areas safer.

Hotspot policing generally has been proven to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour across Sussex over the previous two years.

Chief Superintendent Katy Woolford said: “Keeping people safe and feeling safe is what Sussex Police focuses on all year round.

“During the winter months we know that the shopping streets are busier and more people are out enjoying the night-time economy.

“That’s why we increased high-visibility patrols and enforcement in our town centres, and we’ve seen a really positive impact from that work.

“Through the national Safer Streets Winter of Action initiative, we have worked closely with our partners to prevent crime, protect vulnerable people and support our local communities.

“High visibility hotspot policing patrols continue with us remaining committed to stopping crime before it happens, and to finding and prosecuting those who choose to cause harm and disruption in our neighbourhoods.

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

Speaking about the winter campaign, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “The Winter of Action reminds Sussex residents that their safety remains my top priority and the success is reflected in the number of arrests made.

“More than 4,000 hotspot patrols engaging with over 25,000 residents shows that Sussex Police are listening and positively responding to residents’ concerns. A dedicated focus on retail crime over the festive period has given particular reassurance to the public and businesses too.

“Innovative use of Live Facial Recognition has also helped to deliver results and continues to send a clear message that crime will not be tolerated in Sussex.”