Sussex Alerts - Eastbourne Police

Sussex Alerts - Eastbourne Police

Friday 18th September

Sussex Alerts - Eastbourne Police

Dear Residents,

Please find below the latest Sussex Alerts from Eastbourne Police.

Eastbourne Police.

Operation Spotlight

Running from 14 September 2026 and runs until 4 October, Operation Spotlight the national roads policing campaign focused on helping to reduce the number of young people killed or seriously injured on our roads.

The operation targets the Fatal Five driving behaviours that continue to contribute to serious and fatal collisions; these include, careless driving, drink and drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone, and speeding.

As road use increases following the summer period and young people return to schools, colleges and universities, the campaign will use a combination of education, engagement and enforcement activity to encourage safer choices and reduce road harm.

Follow our social media over the coming months for both educational posts with tips, advice and support for young drivers, as well as details of enforcement based activities in your local area.

Operation Cavell - violence towards staff is unacceptable

Today, officers and staff spent time at Eastbourne DGH speaking with NHS staff about Operation Cavell; our commitment to NHS and partner colleagues across Sussex to ensure they receive the best possible support if they are assaulted while performing their duties.

During the session, teams have been focused on raising awareness of the importance of reporting assaults to the police and explaining our response process and how we investigate reports.

In addition, officers and staff have been outlining the support available for victims, including emotional support guidance through the criminal justice process, and practical assistance, should they be a victim of assault in the line of duty.

Operation Cavell sends a clear message; violence against NHS staff is unacceptable. We are here to protect and support those who dedicate themselves to caring for others.

Roads patrols this week Operation Downsway

Officers from Operation Downsway have been conducting late-night patrols across Eastbourne, focusing on areas highlighted by residents as concerns for Fatal Five offences, including speeding, and distracted driving.

While carrying out high-visibility vehicle patrols into the late hours to deter offending and improve road safety in areas highlighted by residents, the owner of this vehicle appeared to miss the message, driving past officers displaying unlawful registration plates along Brodrick Road, Hampden Park.

The driver was stopped to be spoken to about their plates, after condcuting further roadside checks, they revealed the driver was also not only uninsured but also did not hold a valid driving licence.

As a result, the vehicle was seized under Section 165 of the Road Traffic Act for having no insurance, and the driver will be reported for the additional driving offences.

Our patrols and enforcement activity continue throughout the Autumn months as officers work to tackle dangerous and potentially fatal driving behaviours and respond to concerns raised by local communities.

Operation Scramble 

Sussex Police has launched a new operation dedicated to tackling the illegal use of e-bike and e-scooters.

This is not only in response to ongoing community concerns, but also following an increase in reported incidents in the county.

Operation Scramble involves officers from your Neighbourhood Policing Teams, alongside the Roads Policing Unit and the Fatal Five Team, carrying out targeted patrols, community engagement and education and proactive enforcement activity to identify and tackle those using e-bikes and e-scooters illegally.

In Sussex e-scooters are currently illegal to use in public unless part of an authorised rental scheme, and e-bikes must meet legal requirements.

Operation Scramble steps up our response to this issue but teams will continue to respond to illegal usage of e-vehicle throughout the year.

Read more on this Operation online here.

Keeping our Rural Communities safe 

Sussex Police Rural Crime Team has completed Rural Crime Week of Action, highlighting the key role the team plays in serving and keeping rural communities in Sussex safe.

The week of action running from Sunday 6 – Saturday 12 September saw a number of activities taking place focussing on a variety of crimes the team specialise in responding to throughout the year.

Patrols and engagement days took place across the county to tackle unlicenced fishing, hare coursing, poaching, livestock worrying and organised acquisitive crime.

Throughout the patrols, multiple vehicle stops were conducted, and the events saw officers engage with members of the community to raise awareness of spotting potential rural crime offences, and building trust and confidence within rural communities.

Additionally Rural Crime Team officers supported an Environment Agency led multi-agency operation joined by the Driving Standards Agency (DVSA) and West Sussex County Council, tackling waste crime which saw a number of commercial vehicle stops and a number of fines were issued by all agencies for offences including insecure loads, no MOT, and defective tyres.

Read more on the week here.

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 help setting up the Relay APP please visit: https://www.relayuk.bt.com/how-to-use-relay-uk/contact-999-using-relay-uk.html