Introducing the Fatal Five Unit - a specialised neighbourhood policing team on wheels

Every year, 45 people are killed and almost 1,000 are seriously injured on Sussex's roads.

In a bid to reduce this figure and save lives, Sussex Police has launched the new Fatal Five Unit - an intelligence-led team set up specifically to tackle the five most common causes of fatal and serious injury collisions: drink and drug-driving, speeding, failing to wear a seatbelt, distracted driving (like using a mobile phone) and careless driving.

The creation of the Fatal Five Unit meets Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne’s manifesto commitment and aims to make our roads as safe as possible.

Commenting on the launch of the unit PCC Bourne said: “Dangerous driving is putting lives at risk every single day and residents have had enough.

“Speeding and anti-social driving are among the most frequent concerns raised with me by local people right across Sussex.

“With more than 45,000 drivers caught speeding by our Community Speedwatch volunteers last year and thousands more reported through Operation Crackdown, the message from the public is clear: they want meaningful action.

“The Fatal Five Unit (which is funded via a combination of local taxpayers’ contributions to the police precept and National Driver Offender Retraining Schemes) will focus on targeting people driving anti-socially, including those speeding, as well as persistent offenders.

“It will provide education and enforcement in hotspot areas and support our “Vision Zero” ambition - that no death or serious injury on our roads is acceptable.

“I’ve listened and now I’m delivering for local residents. I’m determined to make Sussex’s roads safer for everyone.”

The Fatal Five Unit will supplement the efforts of Sussex Police’s Roads Policing Unit, providing more officers dedicated specifically to road safety and embracing the use of cutting-edge technology such as:

• Advanced speed detection tools
• Anonymised intelligent vehicle data
• Analysis of harsh braking and speeding patterns
• Exploring AI enabled traffic offence detection

Officers in the unit will work with communities, councils, partners and Sussex Police colleagues to take an intelligence-led, problem-solving approach to the places where injury collisions happen most often. They will engage with schools, community groups and events across the county to prevent future harm. The unit will also work closely with local, volunteer-led safety initiatives like Community Speedwatch, further strengthening the link between community concerns and police action.

PCC Katy Bourne added: “I’ve always felt strongly that the public has a key role to play in helping police build intelligence for targeted action. Our Fatal Five Unit is a direct response to residents’ needs and will provide that visible action they’ve been calling for.” 

Dangerous or antisocial driving can be reported to the police through Operation Crackdown. Reports lead to warnings, recorded data or police intervention, depending on severity and help the police to identify problem areas and repeat offenders, with a focus on improving road safety. Visit: Operation Crackdown