Sussex Police Wealden District Commander's Monthly Message

From District Commander Dick Coates.


- This Month's - May Message


Dear all,
The summer is now into full swing as are your local Police teams across Wealden.

We are planning our big street meeting on the 16th June when we aim to hold at least 50 street meetings across Wealden to meet as many residents as possible and find out what problems or issues they have. I would also like to know if we are doing the right thing. If this initiative is a success I intend to do it more often. If you would like to get involved or know more about where we are holding the meetings contact Jamie Harwood on 0845 6070999 extension 68310 or email jamie.harwood@sussex.pnn.police.uk

Crime across Wealden remains low. As you know I reported a fall in crime last year and over the first two months of our new performance year we have seen a fall again of 8%. That’s 64 less people who have been the victim of crime. I want this to continue and we will do all we can to make this happen alongside providing the best possible service to the communities we serve.

Four people have been arrested and are on police bail for a burglary at Boots store in Hailsham following good work by your local CID team. The shopwatch scheme for Hailsham held a meeting recently and the scheme is being revamped and energised by the Police and local traders. This will help in our goal of making the town safer and even more crime free.

Fred King Jnr was charged with a distraction burglary in Hailsham and is currently remanded in prison. Distraction burglars usually target the more vulnerable people within our communities. Can I ask that we all look out for our elderly or vulnerable neighbours, friends or relatives and always tell them not to let anyone in their house unless they are sure they know who they are. My saying is "If in doubt, keep them out" Your local Police are always happy to attend to check people out if anyone is unsure. Call us and report anyone suspicious. I would rather check out lots of people than have a victim of crime.

During the last month we have arrested three people at two different locations for production of cannabis. This was as a direct result of information from yourselves. If you have any information about drugs or any criminality please make sure you tell us. Contact your local officer or the independent organisation crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

We will always research all information provided and act if there is enough for us to pursue.

Please remember that Wealden is one of the safest places to live, work and visit. Working together we can keep it that way. Operation Blitz is a huge part of this and targets anti social behaviour across the district. To find out more about this and join the Blitz scheme contact your local officer.

Enjoy the fine weather and remember to report anything suspicious to Police.

Proud to be serving Wealden.

Dick Coates

Wealden District Commander.

Sussex Police



- Previous Month's - April Message

Dear all,

Crime across the District remains very low with the slight rise in Crowborough now returned to normal after some excellent targeting of suspects by my response and neighbourhood team. We will keep the pressure on as the improvements in the last week or so have been significant.

OP Blitz is our drive to reduce ASB across the district especially on a Friday and Saturday evening. This is now in full swing having secured funding for the next 12 months. If you want to join OP Blitz contact your local officer. Want to know how the blitz van got on last weekend? Join community contacts to find out. Call 0845 60 70 999 ext 68310 to join.

I was made very welcome at the Horam parish council meeting last week and this week I look forward to visiting Rotherfield and Arlington meetings.

We have had a group of people camp up on land in Heathfield over the weekend. They are here to celebrate a new moon festival. There has been no music or disruption and they are on private land. We are in touch with the landowners and there should be no issues with other members of the community in the Heathfield area due to the fact the group are on a very secluded bit of land.

There have been no incidents of note to update you with during the last week. Remember to follow your local team on twitter for all the current updates. Follow the local officers on @wealdenpol or follow me for all the latest updates on @WealdenDistComm. I have 99 followers now and would like more so get as many people to follow us. Live updates on what is happening across the District.

Keeping you in touch.
Enjoy the sun and please report any suspicious activity.
Proud to be serving Wealden.
Dick Coates
Wealden District Commander.

Previous Month's - March Message

The weather has really improved and as such, please make sure your windows and doors are secure when you leave your houses. A house in Uckfield was burgled this week when the back door was left unlocked. Please pass on this message to all your friends, neighbours and contacts. Lets not make it easy for the criminal.

Every morning at 9am I hold a meeting to discuss the calls to Police in the previous 24hrs and to discuss ongoing issues. From this meeting I have noticed a slight rise in reported crime within the Crowborough area. As such I have placed extra resources into the area for the next week and will review the impact this may have. We will be targeting a number of people we believe may be responsible for this slight rise and will prevent further offences taking place. If you live in that area you may well see more Police presence. I would say that this is only a slight rise over what are very low levels of crime but the quicker we react the better as we do not want any crime blighting our communities.

Don’t forget to join us on Twitter for live updates. Follow your local team on Wealdenpol or follow me on WealdenDistComm.

Operation Quality streets hits Uckfield today (8/4/11). This is where the Police and a whole range of partners get together and tackle a range of issues raised by the public in a specific area. I will update you next week on what was achieved.
Crime remains low across the District but as ever we need the communities help for it to remain that way. If you see anything suspicious give us a call and we will check it out. Only yesterday we had a report of people going door to door in Uckfield which we checked out. No criminal offences were found but the intelligence gained may assist us in the future.

Many thanks for your continued support.
Proud to be serving Wealden.
Dick Coates
Wealden District Commander.

Dick Coates

Wealden District Commander.
Tel : 0845 60 70 999 Ext. 68224
Mobile : 07771-812542