Sussex Alerts - Hastings Police

Friday 2nd January 2026

Sussex Alerts - Hastings Police

Dear Residents,

Wishing you all a very happy and safe New Year 2026.

A domestic abuser who falsely imprisoned a woman at knifepoint is now behind bars

The 26 year old of St Leonards, assaulted the victim and left her in fear for her life during a series of incidents in East Sussex.

On one occasion, he threatened to stab and kill her. The victim said: “I have never felt as vulnerable as I did that night. I feared for my life, I was petrified.”

Detective Inspector Steve Shimmons said: "This was a highly distressing case for the victim, who received specialist support from Sussex Police. I would like to commend her courage and bravery for coming forward to report these domestic abuse offences.

“We are committed to protecting women and girls and bringing perpetrators to justice, and this area remains a priority for Sussex Police."

Full details on this case can be found online here.

Cold weather road safety advice

During the winter months, weather conditions can make driving more difficult and potentially hazardous.

- Clear your windscreen fully before setting off; avoid leaving your vehicle unattended with your keys in the ignition

- Top up on vehicle fluids, including de-icer and engine oil

- Ensure your mobile is fully charged in the event of an emergency

- Stick to the limit on the roads, if you can plan your journey to stick to main roads

- Check lights are in working order, as well as wipers and ensure tyres are fit for the road

- Listen to local radio stations for road conditions and potential delays to your journey

If you come across obstacles in the road contact your local authority, in an emergency contact the police or fire service.

In an emergency always call 999.

(photo taken 0700 on 2/1/26)

Get any new toys or gadgets for Christmas? 

Be mindful burglars know that many households often have new and often expensive, items in their homes over Christmas.

Post Christmas crime prevention advice:

Avoid becoming an easy target for post-holiday burglars/robbers by not leaving boxes for new electronics and other items outside your wheelie bin.

With computer equipment, you might consider keeping the boxes for safe storage, or moving in the future.

Think about keeping broken-down boxes inside in a garage or loft, or taking them to recycle centres in the New Year.

Register your property on the national property marking database, search Immobilise online.

Domestic abuse - we're here 24/7, 365 to help

Don’t suffer in silence.

If you are suffering from domestic abuse we urge you to call us or speak to an officer.

Please put your trust in us – there is hope after abuse and taking the steps to report it will get you closer to a safer, brighter future.

You can call 101 or 999 in an emergency, if you call 999 but can’t speak, press 55 to get through to the police.

Whilst we often up our campaigns and awareness raising over Christmas and New Year period, remember we are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days per week - we will listen to you, we will take your situation seriously and we will leave you safer than before you called us.

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, including advice on downloading Apps with video guides please visit: https://www.relayuk.bt.com/how-to-use-relay-uk/contact-999-using-relay-uk.html.