Sussex Alerts - Lewes and Seahaven Police

Sussex Alerts - Lewes and Seahaven Police

Friday 23rd October 2026

Sussex Alerts - Lewes and Seahaven Police

Dear Residents,

Please find below the latest Sussex Alerts from Lewes and Seahaven Police.

Hate crime awareness week

Last week officers across the Lewes and Seahaven districts marked Hate Crime Awareness Week through their regular patrols and community engagement activity, dropping in on a number of local community groups, organisations and venues to raise awareness of what hate crimes and hate incidents are, how they can affect victims, and the support available to those affected.

Working alongside partners including Victim Support and Lewes and Eastbourne Council, officers spoke with many people during the week about the different offences that can constitute a hate crime or hate incident, how to report concerns, and the importance of reporting incidents when they occur.

Hate crime can, and does have a significant and lasting impact on victims, families and communities.

Support is available for all victims, and we encourage anyone affected, or anyone who witnesses a hate crime, to report it and seek support, visit our website here.

Together, we can help ensure everyone feels safe, respected and supported in our communities.

Weather warning advice

We continue to receive, and respond to reports of incidents across the district this morning, including road closures and fallen trees blocking roads following the overnight winds.

If you need to travel today, please take extra care and allow additional time for your journey.

Consider alternative routes where possible, and check local radio or news for traffic updates and reports for the latest information on road conditions before setting off.

Please avoid coastal areas and stay well back from the seafront, as strong winds and rough seas can create dangerous conditions.

Stay safe and only travel if necessary.

Burglary advice ahead of the clock changes

With the clock soon to change, dark nights will be drawing in; try to get into the habit of following your own course of action when you lock up your home, this may help ensure that you don’t forget anything.

Here’s what we recommend you do before you go out:

close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you’re only going out for a few minutes

double-lock any door

make sure that any valuables are out of sight

keep handbags away from letterboxes or cat flaps, and hide all keys including car keys - a thief could hook keys or valuables through even the smallest opening

never leave car documents or ID in obvious places such as kitchens or hallways

in the evening, shut the curtains and leave lights on

if you’re out all day, then it’s advisable to use a timer device to automatically turn lights and a radio on at night

set your burglar alarm

make sure the side gate is locked

lock your shed or garage

lock your bike inside a secure shed or garage, to a robust fitting bolted to the ground or wall, like a ground anchor

For more advice on keeping your property secure click here.

With further advice on keeping your shed and/or garage safe and secure here.

If you see anyone acting suspiciously around a property, please report it to us on 101 or 999 if you are witnessing a burglary in progress. 

If you have been a victim of burglary, you can also contact Victim Support who can give you the emotional support and advice you need; it does not matter how long ago the crime took place – they are always on hand to support you.

Reporting and contact us

For non-emergency incidents or crime prevention advice, visit www.sussex.police.uk (all online reports are triaged and assessed in the same way as a 101 call). 

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

Visit us face-to-face at a police station or contact the local policing team online* www.sussex.police.uk/area/your-area where you can also find locations and opening hours for local stations/contact points. 

*To contact your local neighbourhood policing team, you can complete a simple form on our website, and the team will respond within 72 hours.

This form is specifically for concerns in your neighbourhood and should not be used to report crime or anti-social behaviour.

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: www.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: www.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: www.relayuk.bt.com/how-to-use-relay-uk/contact-999-using-relay-uk.html

Join your local Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch is a free, volunteer-led charity that helps communities stay connected, share crime prevention advice, and receive local safety information.

Visit the Neighbourhood Watch registration page www.ourwatchmember.org.uk to join online.

Members benefit from community messaging, updates on local issues, and opportunities to support efforts to make their neighbourhood a safer place to live.

For further information, please contact the Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Federation at enquiries@sussexnwfed.org.uk.

Reply to this message

Message Sent By
Jeremy Glew-Deval
(Eastbourne, Lewes and Wealden, Sussex Police District Engagement Officer, Eastbourne Police Hammonds Drive)