Hotspot policing sees significant fall in anti-social behaviour

Three months of targeted action in Sussex’s hotspot areas is already making a tangible difference to our communities.

Earlier this year, Sussex Police introduced its Hotspot Policing Team – a unit dedicated to tackling anti-social behaviour and serious violence in 29 areas with relatively high concentrations of crime.

The team works with partners and other agencies to identify the issues in each area and put the specific measures in place needed to address them.

That targeted approach has seen reports of anti-social behaviour fall by 17.6% in hotspot areas between April and July, compared to the same period last year. Comparable data for serious violence is being collated.

Additional patrols, paid for primarily by extra Home Office funding, are the cornerstone of hotspot policing. They provide a reassuring presence, a visible deterrent and clear points of contact for engagement with the public.

The Hotspot Policing Team have carried out over 5,000 hours of high visibility patrols in hotspots since April.

Working with our partners such as Local Authorities, businesses and community groups, we are able to identify the most prolific offenders and bring them to justice.

In East Sussex, the team has targeted prolific offenders in the division.

Joseph Marodza, 30, of no fixed address, was jailed for 21 weeks after pleading guilty to seven counts of shoplifting.

Lee Parnaby, 32, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with 15 shoplifting offences and failing to appear at court. He pleaded guilty to all of them at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 26 July, where he was ordered to complete rehabilitation programmes and a community order.

Rossi Henderson, 36, of no fixed address, was wanted for more multiple shoplifting offences, located in a hotspot area and, after a brief foot chase, was found hiding in a bramble bush.

He was charged with 20 counts of shoplifting and, at Lewes Crown Court on 22 July, was jailed for 20 months and given a Criminal Behaviour Order designed to limit his ability to reoffend.

They are in addition to multiple arrests of shoplifters, drug dealers, weapons carriers and more, as a direct result of proactive work from the hotspot team.

Community engagement is key, and we will be teaming up with partners for engagement days across Sussex’s hotspots where we can meet the public and highlight all the work that is underway.

Some dates already booked in include:

6 August – Wellington Place, Hastings

21 August – Horsham Park, Horsham

29 August – Priory Park, Chichester

Chief Inspector Jim Loader, force lead for serious violence and knife crime, said: “Every hotspot area in Sussex is unique, with its own residents, businesses, communities and issues.

“There is no one size fits all approach, which is why it is so important to work with our partners to understand each area and identify the right solutions to their problems.

“Hotspot policing works - we have seen crime reduce in hotspots in Sussex for years. Now, with our dedicated hotspot team, we have increased the number of hotspot areas and the resources assigned to them.

“In just three months, that approach is yielding tangible results that make a difference to our communities every day.

“I hope this sends a clear message to the public that we are here for you, you will see us on your streets and we will work relentlessly to keep you safe.”

Please report any crime or issues to police online or via 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.