Hotspot patrols slash crime in targeted areas

High visibility hotspot policing patrols in the last year have slashed crime in targeted areas across Sussex.

The Safer Streets Summer campaign saw a near 9% cut in all crime compared to the same period last year.

The Winter of Action campaign led a near 18% reduction in retail crime and near 33% reduction in knife crime.

Chief Inspector Jim Loader said: “Hotspot policing has been successful in reducing crime in targeted areas in Sussex, as it has across the country.

“Providing a regular visible presence and engaging with the community to gather intelligence in locations where we see more crime, has helped reduce and prevent further crime.”

During the year officers completed more than 10,000 hours of additional patrols. They arrested more than 480 people and took 92 knives off the streets during targeted patrols in six towns and 18 specific hotspots to help protect the community from serious violence and antisocial behaviour.

The additional high visibility patrols have led to arrests for assault, robbery, drug supply with a significant amounts of drugs being taken off the streets. Other arrests include criminal damage and shoplifting, which led one prolific shoplifter becoming the first Sussex offender to be fitted with a GPS buddy tag for shoplifting.

Barry Farthing, of Hughenden Road, Hastings, was reported and swiftly arrested on his way home from the Co-Op with 11 further Co-Op thefts. He had failed to appear at court five days before where he was to be sentenced in relation to 44 further shop thefts. Appearing before Brighton Magistrates Court and pleading guilty to 12 additional shoplifting offences, he was jailed for eight months and issued a criminal behaviour order, which involved fitting a GPS tag.

Just two Brighton officers on hotspot patrols have put drug dealers before the court and behind bars for a total of 55 years so far and taken a significant amount of drugs off the city’s streets.

Chief Inspector Loader said: “Going forward Sussex Police has received funding to focus on knife crime hyperlocal hotspots.

“We welcome this to help us target the root cause of knife crime with interventions that work towards the national target of halving knife crime.

“Outside of these hyperlocal hotspots we will continue high visibility hotspot patrolling to benefit areas where needed.

“Our priority is to reduce violence and knife crime and make our communities safe and feel safe.”