Sussex Alerts - Lewes and Seahaven Police

Friday 12th December 2025

Sussex Alerts - Lewes and Seahaven Police

Stolen Bike recovered in Peacehaven 

While on patrol eaarlier this week (7th December), officers were alerted to a potentially stolen motorbike left in Chatsworth Park, Peacehaven after a member of the public reported a bike lying on its side, seemingly abandoned.

Officers were quick to conduct checks against recently reported crimes, and found that the bike had been reported stolen only a few hours earlier, as such officers were able to recover it promptly!

During the evening, Police also received reports of several attempted motorbike thefts in areas of Peacehaven, as such officers are advising residents to review their bike security:

•Always lock your bike securely, even for short stops, always remove the key from the ignition.

•Use high-quality locks, such as disc locks or heavy-duty chains, or consider a ground anchor in your shed/garage.

•Park in well-lit areas or, ideally, in a garage or secure location.

•Consider using tracking devices for added security.

Did you know, marking areas of your bike can make it more difficult for criminals to sell parts on, and therefore much less attractive to steal; it can also help police identify parts and return recovered stolen bikes.

Report any suspicious activity immediately via 101 or online, and call 999 in an emergency.

Festive Patrols 

Our Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) play a vital role within Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPT), providing a visible presence in local areas and building strong relationships with local communities and groups.

This week, officers have been out visiting a number of community groups, including local care homes and youth groups—listening to residents and hearing from young people, about their concerns, as well as sharing safety advice and tools to help keep communities safe.

Officers have also focused their time on patrolling high streets ahead of the busy Christmas shopping season, offering visibility and reassurance; with your Seaford PCSOs dropping into local shops and businesses to provide crime prevention tips, including advice on spotting shoplifters and advice on reducing business-related crime during the festive period.

Out Christmas shopping?

If you see or hear anything we need to know about, report it online or by calling 101 for non-emergencies, and 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress.

Operation Limit - drink/drug driving week one results

3 people have been arrested in the first week of our Christmas crackdown on drink and drug-drivers across Lewes and Seahaven. (1-7 December).

1 drink driver, and 2 for the offences of driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit

We’re disappointed that people continue to risk the lives of themselves and others by making the conscious decision to drive under the influence.

During the coming weeks we continue to intensify our patrols to make our roads safer, and will robustly deal with drink and drug-drivers.

Those caught and convicted can expect to see their name on our website and in the media in the new year.

Think you won’t get caught? Think again.

Partnership roads day 

Earlier this week, officers were joined by East Sussex Fire and Rescue across areas of the district, to conduct enforcement and educational stops, as we continue to work together to positively influence drivers and motorcyclists to ride responsibly, considerately and safely as we head into the Winter months.

During the course of the morning a number of vehicles were safety stopped, with many drivers spoken to; with ESFRS providing advice on road traffic collisions and their causes, and police managing any road related offences, including offering suitable words of advice around the use of lights on dark early mornings.

As always, communities are continually encouraged to report road or driving related offences to us either online or by calling 101.

In an emergency or serious collision always call 999.

Keeping young adults safe

As the festive season approaches, local police have been visiting colleges to speak with students about the dangers of drink spiking.

Earlier this week Neighbourhood Youth Officers visited Plumpton College where they set up in the canteen to speak to teens and sharing important advice on how to spot the signs, what to do if they suspect spiking, and who to report it to.

With many young people planning nights out and celebrations over Christmas and New Year, these sessions aim to keep everyone safe and informed.

Remember: stay vigilant, look out for your friends, and don’t hesitate to seek help if something doesn’t feel right.

More support and information around spiking can be found online here.

Road safety checks last weekend

While out on patrol across the district last weekend, officers carried out a number of proactive checks as part of our continued commitment to road safety.

Late on Sunday evening in Newhaven, officers on foot noticed a motorcycle displaying incorrectly sized number plates.

What began as quick words of advice soon escalated when checks revealed the rider had no valid licence, no MOT, and no insurance -t he bike was seized under Section 165, and the rider was reported for the relevant offences.

Later in the shift, while driving through Lewes, officers stopped a vehicle that raised concerns.

On speaking to the driver, it became clear they also had no licence and no insurance - their vehicle too was seized, and the driver again reported accordingly.

A short reminder to all vehicle owners of their responsibility to ensure documentation, driver details, and insurance are correct and valid.

Contact Us

For non-emergency incidents or crime prevention advice, click www.sussex.police.uk (If you report a crime online, we will assess it in the same way as a 101 call).  

Call 101 when you do not require an urgent response. In an emergency when life is threatened or there is immediate danger always call 999.  

Speak to us face-to-face at a police station or contact the local policing team at www.sussex.police.uk/area/your-area.  

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, or other forms of communication difficulties.

Those with textphone can text 18001 101, or BSL users can use SignVideo to provide a Video Relay Service (here: https://signvideo.co.uk/), to report crime through a live online interpreter, who will contact the police on your behalf, when you do not require an urgent response.

In an emergency when life is threatened or there is immediate danger please use the textphone service 18000 or text us on 999.

BSL users can call 999 BSL (here: https://999bsl.co.uk/)  to use a British Sign Language interpreter.

For more information on textphone and Relay UK please visit: https://www.relayuk.bt.com/how-to-use-relay-uk/contact-999-using-relay-uk.html.

Help setting up Relay APP: https://www.relayuk.bt.com/help/how-to-videos.html Contact 999 using Relay UK - How to use Relay UK | Relay UK