Friday 19th March 2021
Wealden Police weekly News and Alerts
Specialist Enforcement Unit successfully targeting criminals using the road network
A new Sussex Police unit which was launched to track and catch dangerous and wanted criminals using the county roads network has already made 81 arrests since it was launched two months ago.
The Specialist Enforcement Unit (SEU) carries out disruption and enforcement operations on roads across the Sussex, targeting those involved in serious, organised and violent crime.
The SEU, a mix of highly-trained police officers and detectives is equipped to be a one-stop-shop for road crime – with the ability to identify, intercept and apprehend offenders, as they travel, seize drugs and stolen goods, and to investigate the crimes through to conviction.
In January and February, the unit clocked up more than 3,760 officer hours on visible proactive work across Sussex, made 81 arrests for supply of class A drugs, money laundering, driving offences and tracking down wanted people, seized more than £20,000 worth of cocaine, £7,600 worth of cannabis and more than £4,000 worth of crack cocaine and heroin all well as more than £25,000 cash and taken offensive weapons such as knives, hammers, catapults and CS spray off the streets.
They have also disrupted a number of active county lines drug supply groups, seized 41 vehicles, submitted 200 intelligence reports and safeguarded 18 vulnerable people working alongside colleagues from the force Road Policing Unit, Community Investigation Teams, Border Force, Kent, Surrey and the Metropolitan police teams.
The unit is the latest in a series of police enforcement teams to be launched across Sussex in the past year funded by the Government’s Uplift programme and local precept investment.
Chief Constable Jo Shiner said: “The launch of the Specialist Enforcement Unit was all about providing extra, visible and robust policing on Sussex’s roads, with the ability to deter, detect and disrupt those intent on travelling to commit crime.
“They use both marked and unmarked vehicles and are equipped with the latest technology to identify and intercept known offenders, target hot spots, and support colleagues in making the roads safer for everyone – one of our key priorities.
“I am incredibly proud of the positive results the unit has achieved so far. They were charged with relentlessly pursuing and catching some of our most dangerous and prolific criminals by denying them use of the roads and they are fulfilling that aim.
“From drugs and violent crime, to people trafficking, child exploitation and theft, most criminals have to use the roads which are therefore prime hunting ground for the police.”
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “This team has made a huge impact in such a short space of time and I know that residents will be delighted with the results so far.
“Through extra investments in the force over the last year, Sussex Police have been able to step up targeted operations against serious and violent criminals and seeing them being stopped on our roads by Sussex police officers is a powerful deterrent.
“It will be reassuring to local communities to see high profile interceptions and arrests as the Chief Constable and her team continue to crackdown on all criminality.”
The team is made up of experienced police officers and detectives with a blend of specialist skills and who can use a range of tactics to tackle criminals using the road network, including advanced driving skills and the use of a police dog unit to track offenders and search vehicles.
Couple convicted over death of their baby girl in Crowborough
A man who shook his baby to death has been convicted of her murder.
Michael Roe, 33, of Alderbrook Close, Crowborough, faced a murder trial at Hove Crown Court after the initial trial in March 2020 was abandoned at the outbreak of the Covid virus and in November, the jury was dismissed following an irregularity and a retrial was scheduled, which opened on February 3.
The court heard that eight-week-old Holly Roe had suffered brain injuries at least three times leading up to her death in September 2018. She had also sustained 12 fractures to her rib cage before ambulance paramedics were called to a report of her having breathing difficulties. They found her cold and unresponsive and rushed her to Pembury Hospital, where she was sadly pronounced dead. A post mortem showed that the cause of death was a traumatic head injury.
The jury was told that the final head injuries would have left Holly unconscious, despite extreme pain caused by her fractured ribs.
Her mother Tiffany Tate, 22, along with Roe, faced a charge of causing or allowing the death of a child. She had faced a charge of murder, but the trial judge in the second trial instructed a not guilty verdict be returned and the indictment was amended for the third trial.
On Wednesday 17 March, the jury returned their verdict finding Roe guilty of murder.
They also found Tiffany Tate guilty of allowing the death of a child.
Both will be sentenced on Friday 19 March.
Detective Superintendent Emma Heater from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team said: “Holly Roe was only eight weeks old when she died having been found unconscious at her home address by her parents. An examination discovered that Holly had a fatal head injury as well as numerous rib fractures.
“The people who should have been caring for Holly have today been found guilty of offences relating to her death. Michael Roe, her father, has been found guilty of murder and her mother, Tiffany Tate, has been found guilty of causing or allowing the death of Holly.
“These cases are always very difficult for everyone: the extended family and people who knew Holly during her very short life, the medical teams that responded to this incident and my colleagues who conducted the investigation.
“I would like to thank all of those witnesses who gave evidence and also the jury who have listened to harrowing detail and taken time to consider the evidence carefully before reaching their verdict.”
ASB Patrols this weekend
Each week, targeted ASB patrols head out across the district to known areas, and areas of ASB reported by your communities.
Call 07770700642 between 1800-0000 each Friday and Saturday if you witness, or are victim to anti-social behaviour (ASB), and report directly to officers on the ground, out targeting areas of known and reported ASB.
This number does not change each week, keep a note of it if you need to contact us. Outside of these times please continue to report anti-social behaviour to us online, or by calling 101, or remember always call 999 in an emergency.
Sussex Police outlines three linked objectives for road safety
Sussex Police has outlined three linked objectives for road safety:
- Reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads;
- Reducing antisocial driving/riding and the harm it causes to communities;
- Denying criminals use of the roads by prevention and disruption.
These objectives will be achieved through education, engagement, enforcement and engineering, and can only be done by developing effective working relationships between all parties, including Sussex Police, Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, Community Speed Watch, local communities and local authorities.
The strategy was outlined to the public during a virtual panel meeting chaired by the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner on Tuesday evening (16 March), which was held to address road safety concerns raised by communities across the county.
Among the issued most commonly identified by residents are speeding, excess noise, and antisocial driving and riding.
Attendees were informed of the ongoing work to help achieve these aims, which includes regular dedicated operations, in addition to routine roads policing 365 days a year.
An example of one of these dedicated operations was held over the weekend of 27-28 February, when a total of 107 tickets were issued for speeding, insecure loads, mobile phone use, not wearing a seatbelt, no tax, no insurance, illegal number plates and excessive emission of smoke.
Both proactive patrols and static checks were carried out in areas identified by communities as having concerns for road safety, including the A272 at Tillington, the A29 at Bury Hill and Coldwaltham, the B2138 at Fittleworth, and the A27 at Aldingbourne.
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “I’m pleased that the public were given the opportunity to voice their concerns around road safety directly to the Chief Constable and her team of roads policing officers.
“Local communities have already benefited from the force’s proactive roads policing work over the last year and this week, Sussex police reaffirmed their commitment to tackling the three main issues that residents say matter most to them, as well as continuing with business as usual operations.
“I look forward to measuring the outcomes of these objectives over the coming year and seeing the roads policing unit working with partners to make our roads even safer.”
Chief Constable Jo Shiner said: “While we cannot solve every single issue in every area, I’d like to reassure everyone that we are working with our partners to achieve these three objectives, which are ultimately aimed to keep everyone safe on our roads.
“We cannot be everywhere all the time, we could be anywhere. We have listened to your concerns and taken action, and we will continue to provide education and enforcement as we aim to make Sussex a safer place for all road users.”
In particular, officers will focus on the ‘fatal five’ – speeding, drink and drug-driving, mobile phone use, not wearing a seatbelt and careless driving. These are the five most common causes of fatal and serious injury collisions every year.
To report an incident of dangerous or antisocial driving, visit the Operation Crackdown website.
Or, if you wish to report a particular issue in your area, you can contact Sussex Safer Roads Partnership by email: SSRP@sussex.pnn.police.uk
Burglary Summary
There have been 4 reported burglaries on the Wealden district in the last 7 days.
Overnight on the 11th March an attempted burglary occurred at a garage off Oldfield Crescent, Hailsham. Damage was caused to a door handle in an attempt to gain entry, no entry was gained. (0420 of 12/03 relates)
A building site off Diamond Drive Hailsham reported a break in over the weekend of the 12th-15th March. Electrical items including a generator was stolen after unknown suspects have gained entry to a fenced area, and cut locks from storage containers on the site. (0322 of 15/03 relates)
An attempted burglary was reported after damage to doors and widow locks were noticed at a property off The Avenue Hailsham over the 13-15th March. No entry was gained and nothing was stolen. (0413 of 17/03 relates)
Scrap metal was stolen from a garden at a property off Framfield Road, Buxted during the daytime of the 17th March. Unknown suspects were seen to remove items from homeowners property. (0431 of 17/03 relates)
Please continue to report suspicious activities, especially in our more rural/farm communities to us online or by calling 101.
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?
Action Fraud’s top 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, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
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.
Your local teams
You can find now find details of your local PCSO and your local Neighbourhood Policing Teams here.
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