The Planning Applications below are to be considered by members of the Planning Committee on Tuesday 11th February 2020 at 7.00 p.m. in The Village Hall, Five Ash Down. Keep on reading!
Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision in Hailsham.
The incident involving a bus, an as yet unidentified car and a male cyclist occurred at the junction of London Road and Grovelands Road around 7pm on Thursday 30 January. Keep on reading!
News and Alerts – Wealden District Stolen Vehicle Chop Shop Found In Hellingly
On Tuesday afternoon (28 January) police discovered a suspected criminal operation near Hailsham in which high-value stolen cars and vans were being broken up for spare parts. Keep on reading!
ST MARY’S BUXTED VILLAGE
OPEN DAY & CRAFT FAIR 16/05/20 (mid-day to 6pm)
This year’s event will again be a joint effort with the Claude Jessett Trust (Tinker’s Park). The steam miniature railway will be giving rides in the Top Field, where there will be a Beer & Wine Tent, BBQ and a Bouncy Castle.
The Craft Fair will be bigger and better this year, and will extend into the Hall Garden and Church surrounds. Both Parish schools will have stalls, along with lots of interesting exhibitors and people selling bric-a-brac and vintage goods.
The craft theme is continued in the car park area, where there will be a working forge and demonstrations of woodland crafts. Wally the Steam Engine will be in place, together with his lovingly restored Edwardian living van.
The church itself will be looking its best, with a special flower display and our organist playing between 2.00 and 3.00.
News and Appeals
Wealden District Police appeal for witnesses to armed robbery at Crowborough shop
Police are appealing for witnesses to an armed robbery at a shop in Crowborough.
Officers were called to Vape Style, London Road, shortly after 5.30pm on Friday (January 10) to reports of two men armed with a knife and a screwdriver demanding cash and stock.
One suspect is described as 6′, slim, wearing a black zip-up jacket with pockets, black trousers, black trainers and a light pink balaclava with several holes in it. The other suspect is said to be 5′ 9″ slim and wearing a dark jacket, light blue jeans, dark trainers and a black face mask. He is described as having a street urban/London dialect and carrying a black rucksack.
The men fled the scene in the direction of Mill Road, towards Morrisons and Waitrose. Nobody was injured during the incident. Any witnesses, or anyone who may have any further information, is asked to report online or call 101 quoting serial 1143 of 10/01.
Police seize drugs worth £100,000 from car in Hailsham
Police have seized around £100,000 worth of drugs after stopping a car in Hailsham.
Prevention officers stopped the vehicle in the early hours of Thursday morning (January 9) and found Class B drugs with an estimated street value of £100,000 in the boot.
James Elliott, 39, unemployed, of Hedley Way, Hailsham, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a Class B drug (Amphetamine). He was remanded in custody for sentencing at a later date. A 31-year-old woman from Hailsham was also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class B drug (Amphetamine). She was also arrested on suspicion of driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance. She was released under investigation pending further enquiries.
Anyone with information about drug supply, or any concerns about drug dealing/use in your towns, please report it to us online, or to 101. Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Wealden welcomes a new District Commander
Wealden district will benefit from a dedicated district commander from Monday the 13th January.
Detective Chief Inspector Alasdair Henry has become the new district commander for Wealden, providing closer oversight and liaison on the district where previously there was only one district commander responsible for Eastbourne, Lewes and Wealden. DCI Henry said:
“I am really looking forward to getting to grips with my new role as district commander for Wealden. It is my intention to build on the fantastic work already completed by the local policing team.
“As the force lead for burglary prevention I want to focus on such crimes, especially in our rural communities. I am also keen to ensure that we continue to deal with anti-social behaviour on the district.”
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne added:
“Putting the Wealden, Lewes and Eastbourne area back under two district commanders will provide much better policing oversight, engagement and resilience.
“Wealden is a sizeable part of Sussex covering more than 300 square miles, so it makes sense for the area to have a dedicated chief inspector to give it the attention and focus it deserves.
“I’m delighted to hear this news and am sure that Wealden residents and businesses will feel the same way.”
Safe speed to save lives – ‘Better late than never’
Police Forces across England and Wales will be carrying simultaneous speed enforcement campaigns for the coming weeks until the end of January.
The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) are supporting the January 2020 speed enforcement campaign, which is coordinated by The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC). The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership will deliver their campaign through a mix of educational and enforcement activities.
Working alongside partners, police officers and Community Speedwatch volunteers, the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership will continue to raise awareness and provide educational messaging for all road users within Sussex.
You can read more about this campaign here.
Sussex Police have welcomed a new national report on work across the country to combat the menace posed by ‘County Lines’ drugs dealing
The report, ‘Both sides of the coin: The police and National Crime Agency’s response to vulnerable people in County Lines drug offending’ has been published by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Police, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) on Friday (10 January)
Chief Superintendent Jo Banks said: “We welcome this continued national focus on the problem, and are already working with law enforcement and local partners on many of the issues raised.
“Sussex was the first force in the country to use DDTROs (Drug Dealing Telephone Restriction Orders) referred to in the Report. Powers in the new Digital Economy Act enable police to seek restrictions on handsets that they believe are being used by drug dealers to operate ‘deal-lines’. These are the dedicated mobile phone lines used to take orders from drug users.
“We continue every day to disrupt dealers who try to deal dangerous drugs across our communities. Our officers investigate and prosecute, working relentlessly and targeting those who would bring harm to local people, including often the most vulnerable. Local crime is often a direct result of major drug distribution via County Lines.
“Our new Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU) which began operations just last month, is also helping target these gangs.
“Every day our activity sends a clear message to drug dealers that they cannot expect to go undetected in Sussex.
“We use the range of legal powers to tackle this problem, ranging from the Misuse of Drugs Act to Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking legislation, and we can use technological advances such as DDTROs.”
Members of the public can also help, and the best advice is to trust your instincts – if somebody shows signs of mistreatment, or a child seems to be travelling long distances or is unfamiliar with a locality, you can report suspicions to local police on 101 or online – or to British Transport Police if you see something on the railway network.
For further information about work by Sussex Police on drugs and related safeguarding issues, see the force website here.
Quad bikes thefts in Wealden
Our cross border patrols, and ongoing work with Kent Police continues following recent thefts of high value farm machinery, and vehicles, namely quad bikes.
High visibility Police patrols in the areas affected, accompanied by joint staff and officers from other forces and agencies are in place, as well as behind the scenes work looking into potential suspects and any available lines of enquiry, such as CCTV and forensics.
To help secure your quad bikes, please consider the following advice:
1. Park as close to your premises as possible, ideally in a locked outbuilding with CCTV and security lighting, preferably out of sight from nearby roads
2. Remove keys when not in use, and do not leave them near the vehicle, or in view indoors, take keys up to bed with you
3. Fit wheel clamps and/or locking posts to prevent quad bikes from being ‘wheeled’ off site, and consider an attached alarm
4. Mark or customise your vehicle so it is easily identifiable and less attractive to thieves
5. Consider fitting hidden GPS tracking devices for high-value vehicles so vehicles can be tracked in the event they are stolen
6. Keep a record of all vehicles, including photographs and serial numbers, and register your property or include such items on your home insurance
Crime Summary
Late afternoon on the 10th January a property off Hartfield Road, Forest Row had cash and personal items stolen, when unknown suspects have smashed entry to rear patio doors to gain entry. (1494 of 10/01 relates)
Overnight on the 10-11th January, a property off Witches Lane, Uckfield, reported an outbuilding burglary. Unknown suspects have removed secure padlocks from gates to enter the site, a quad vehicle and tools were stolen (273 of 11/01 relates)
Over the weekend of the 10-11th January, a property off Gun Road, Blackboys, had power tools stolen from an outbuilding, whereby unknown suspects have forced off locks to secure doors to gain entry (709 of 11/01 relates)
During the day off the 11th January, a property off Pound Lane, Blackboys, had tools and a quad vehicle from a secure outbuilding (1447 of 11/01 relates)
Overnight on the 10-11th January, a property off Shepheards Hill, Blackboys had their shed broken into whereby unknown suspects have removed shed panels to gain entry. Tools have been targeted (1333 of 11/01 relates)
A sports club off Vicarage Lane, Hailsham had tools removed from a secure shed over the weekend of the 10-13th January where unknown suspects have cut padlocks off the shed to gain entry (398 of 13/01 relates)
There have been no further residential burglaries reported this week.
For a range of crime prevention advice, support and tips to keep you and your property safe can be found here. If you have been the victim of a burglary, please report online, or by calling 101 – always dial 999 in an emergency/burglary in action.
Action Fraud scam watch
Did you know scams cost the UK economy £5-£10 Billion a year, with over 50% of people over 65 having already been targeted by scams; and only 5% of all scams reported?
This week’s scam and fraud warnings from Action Fraud:
HMRC tax refund scam
Students and those working within academic areas are being warned of a new HMRC tax refund scam being sent directly to their @ac.uk email address.
Are you are student, teacher or academic professional? Received a tax refund email to your @ac.uk email address? Please be advised, HMRC will never tell you about tax refunds by sending you a link or website.
The safest way to claim tax refunds is to log into your personal tax account here.
Courier fraud in 2019
In 2019 more than 1900 reports of courier fraud was received by Action Fraud. Criminals typically carry out courier fraud by cold calling the victim, purporting to be a police officer or bank official to gain their trust. The fraudsters will then claim there’s an issue with the victim’s bank account or request their assistance with an ongoing bank or police investigation.
The ultimate aim of this call is to trick them into handing over money or their bank details. Beat the fraudsters with the latest 2020 advice from Action fraud here.
Action Fraud’s top ten tips
Although fraud and cybercrime comes in many forms, there are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself.
Follow Action Frauds’ personal safety checklist to keep you and those around you safe from fraud here.
Help us keep Sussex safe
If you saw or heard anything, or have any information about any incident in this message please contact us online, or call 101, quoting the reference number provided.
Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
You can also visit our website at www.sussex.police.uk where you can find our easy to use online forms to report all non-emergencies to us.
You can also find police advice to keep you safe and help you understand the law, and also browse our crime prevention pages for first-hand knowledge, industry best practices and practical crime prevention advice from officers and specialist teams all across the police.
Have you ever had a policing question that doesn’t actually require direct police involvement to answer?
Ask the Police is a great online source of information for the most frequently asked policing questions, visit www.askthe.police.uk/ for more information.
Please find attached the latest Fraud Newsletter for January 2020, which includes a Courier Fraud Special Edition.
To open attachments, please find the PDF at the bottom of this alert, and either open or save and view depending on which device you are viewing this alert on.
