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News, Updates and advice 1st February-16th February
The Rother Neighbourhood Policing Team, in collaboration with the Rural Crime Team, is working tirelessly to prevent and disrupt criminal activities targeting rural communities in Rother.
With several reports of non-residential building being entered, we are concentrating on rural crimes such as theft and burglary by conducting high-visibility prevention patrols throughout the Rother area, to track down those who might be responsible and ensuring that all villages benefit from our additional patrols.
This increased presence will deter criminals who perceive our rural communities as easy targets and reassure local residents that we are here to protect them and their properties.
Top tips to make your farm/yard more secure: We are asking everyone who may see or hear anything suspicious, to call us on 101, in the case of a crime in progress, please call 999.
 Being a victim of burglary can be devastating, impacting a person’s wellbeing, and feeling of safety. This type of crime can have a ripple effect on the whole community.
As much as we would like to be everywhere, we need your help to protect you and your property. Please also look out for neighbouring homes, if you see or hear anything suspicious, please contact us immediately.
Burglars are typically opportunistic, taking advantage of doors and windows that are left open or unlocked or are easy to force. Fortunately, simple precautions can effectively deter these criminals.
Tips on how to keep you and your property safe. Outside your house
If you find someone trying to enter your home, call 999 immediately.
A Stroke can be life-changing. When a stroke strikes, it changes everything. Recently, the Sussex Stroke Community visited Hastings Police station to raise awareness about this life-altering condition.
Know the FAST warning signs: Other warning signs include Even if symptoms fade quickly, seek immediate medical help.
A stroke impacts more than just physical health—it affects emotions, relationships, and financial stability. Recovery looks different for everyone, but with support from organisations like the Stroke Association and their local partners, survivors can work toward their best possible quality of life.
 We would like to increase awareness of 'Clare's Law'
Please make elderly or vulnerable family members, friends or neighbours aware.
Your safety matters. Take a moment to share these important guidelines on doorstep fraud.  Stay Safe: Simple Rules to Remember Keep these simple rules in mind: If someone shows up unannounced, don't feel pressured to let them in. Instead, ask them to come back when a family member or friend can be with you. Report it! If you have been deceived into giving money to someone, contact Action Fraud here www.actionfraud.police.uk Lets make it difficult for them to deceive others.
On January 17th, Rother Neighbourhood officers conducted a joint operation with the British Transport Police (BTP) targeting criminal activities along the rail network serving Bexhill, Hastings, and Collington. The operation specifically addressed anti-social behaviour, drug activity, those travelling to shoplift, and fare evasion.
During our efforts, we actively spoke with regular travellers, businesses and young people. We supported BTP in seizing cannabis and nitrous oxide, implemented appropriate drug-related enforcement measures, plus, several penalty notices were issued for fare evasion.
Our shared commitment aims to give reassurance, enhance passenger safety and reduce criminal activity across our transport network and towns. We will maintain a zero-tolerance approach toward anyone using the rail network to travel to Hastings and Rother to cause disorder.
The public are our eyes and ears, so we encourage everyone to report any suspicious activities or concerns. Your information helps us build a more comprehensive picture of local issues and respond effectively. To report non-emergency incidents, please contact us on 101 or visit our website. For emergencies or crime in progress, always dial 999.
 We recently had the pleasure of participating in a careers fair at Claverham Community College, Battle, where we engaged with students curious about pursuing a career in the police.
These opportunities to connect with young people are invaluable, as we frequently receive inquiries about the path to becoming a police officer.
During our discussions, we were impressed by the students' insightful questions and their understanding of key skills needed in policing. When asked about essential qualities for the job, many students correctly identified "communication" as a crucial skill. It was particularly heartening to hear that many of these young people are drawn to policing by a genuine desire to help others—one of the most important motivations for joining the Police.
This week has also been all about inspiring the next generation of police officers, with a visit to Robertsbridge Community College. PCSO Dowd and PC Brunton spent the day meeting students who might one day wear the uniform themselves. The conversations went way beyond just "here's how to join the force." Students were particularly drawn to the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) program, but they also learned about other crucial roles like Emergency Call Handler and PCSO positions. But it wasn't just career talk. The officers tackled some serious issues too. They handed out bottle top covers and talked straight about staying safe on nights out. There were serious discussions about knife crime and the dangers around this subject. It was great to see such enthusiasm and genuine interest in joining the police.
Patrols in Battle gave us the opportunity to chat with local residents, shoppers and business in the area. 
We discussed the recently implemented DISC system with local businesses and its huge benefits in reducing theft and other crime. It's encouraging to hear that those using the system report that it has had a positive impact on their business.
DISC enables Rother retailers to share information about known offenders with other participating businesses in the area. By strengthening communication between local establishments, we've made it considerably more difficult for repeat offenders to operate undetected, demonstrating our commitment to protecting both businesses and our community.
On February 3rd, we joined Community Speed Watch (CSW) volunteers in Union Street Ticehurst for targeted speed checks.  During a brief 30-minute period, we recorded 19 vehicles exceeding 36 MPH, 4 vehicles surpassed 40 MPH, and 1 vehicle was recorded travelling over 50 MPH in a designated 30 MPH zone.
We spoke with several drivers at the roadside, discussing the risks associated with excessive speed and providing guidance. Some drivers received formal enforcement.
The following day, February 4th, we conducted a similar operation with CSW volunteers in High Street Etchingham, where we noted a marked improvement with only four vehicles reported for exceeding the speed limit.
Speed reduction remains a key priority across our villages and towns. CSW volunteers provide invaluable support through their commitment to regular speed checks—a frequency that police resources alone cannot always maintain. For those concerned about speeding in their community, we encourage you to explore the CSW website here Community Speedwatch Online. You can either join an existing group or establish a new one in areas currently without coverage. All volunteers receive comprehensive police training and ongoing support to ensure effective community speed monitoring.
We conducted high-visibility patrols in Bexhill Town, including the train station, to provide reassurance to women in the area. Violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains statistically more prevalent than violence against any other demographic group. Throughout the morning, we engaged with over 30 women, offering safety advice and ensuring they felt secure within the town.
During our routine checks, we visited local businesses in the town before proceeding to Ravenside to maintain visibility and deter potential anti-social behaviour and theft.
Earlier in the week, we had conducted patrols around Tesco in Collington, implementing similar preventative measures. We then moved on to Rye, where we carried out high-visibility patrols around Rye Station and the town centre. These patrols specifically addressed recent reports of anti-social behaviour at the end of the school day. We are pleased to report that no incidents were observed or reported during this time.
Our morning visit to Battle Pre-School focused on safety.  Through interactive talks, we explored the dangers of crossing roads and safe pedestrian behaviour. We also chatted about their personal safety, like staying together in groups, feeling confident to say 'no' in uncomfortable situations, and identifying trusted adults who can help them when needed. To bring our police work to life, we shared vibrant pictures showing various police roles and vehicles. The children also enjoyed trying on our police uniforms, including our official hats and jackets. Just before leaving, we handed out police-themed stickers and colouring sheets featuring our vehicles and officers, helping to reinforce the day's safety messages.
A Day of Smiles at King Offa Primary Academy last week. Our morning with the nursery and reception classes was filled with giggles and important life lessons. We shared stories about safety, introducing the little ones to the concept of "safe strangers" – those in our community they can trust when they need assistance. Together, we explored the basics of road safety, discovering the safest spots to cross and why they matter. Most importantly, we helped them understand that police officers are their friends, always ready to lend a helping hand. But the real excitement was when our little officers-in-training got to dress-up in our police hats and jackets. The highlight? Watching them bounce about in our police van, testing out the "jail cell" in the back while the lights flashed, and the sirens wailed. As we wrapped up our visit, leaving behind colouring sheets and stickers, we couldn't help but smile. These are the moments that remind us why we love what we do.
The Sidley Football/Recreation Ground is a community space for everyone to enjoy, though it is maintained by Bexhill AAC Football Club. The club currently holds the licence for the ground and is responsible for repairs and maintenance. We have been informed that there have been concerning incidents involving motorbikes and, in one instance, a car being driven onto the grounds causing damage. These damages will be costly to repair, and unfortunately, funds are limited. This great open space belongs to the whole community, and people should be able to use it without fear of motor vehicles endangering their safety. Let's work together to ensure this space remains safe and enjoyable for everyone. Your reports are vital; by alerting us to neighbourhood concerns, you help us prioritise and tackle local issues effectively.
A male was arrested Thursday February 6th The following day, the male appeared before Brighton Magistrates' Court to face multiple charges relating to a string of offences committed across Hastings and Rother, including: • Three counts of residential burglary The male has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at Lewes Crown Court for sentencing on 7th March.
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