Friday 15th January 2021
Wealden Police weekly News and Alerts
Man charged after cannabis plants are found at Hailsham house
A man has appeared in court after police uncovered a cannabis cultivation site in Hailsham.
Officers attended a property in Swan Road on Saturday (January 9) after receiving reports of suspected drug activity in the area.
A search of the premises was carried out and 71 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of up to £59,000 were discovered. The plants and associated growing equipment were seized by police.
Gintautas Zulys, 59, unemployed, of Swan Road, Hailsham, was arrested and charged with producing a controlled drug of Class B (cannabis). He appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Monday (January 11) and is next scheduled to appear at crown court on February 8.
Anyone who witnesses concerning or suspicious behaviour in their area is encouraged to report the information to police, either online or by calling 101.
Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
Christmas crackdown on drink and drug-drivers results in 212 arrests
A Christmas crackdown on drink and drug-drivers has led to 212 arrests across Sussex in just four weeks.
The campaign is run twice a year – in addition to routine roads policing 365 days a year – with the aim of protecting the public from the dangers of drink and drug-driving by educating motorists and targeting offenders.
A total of 212 arrests were made by Sussex Police during the operation, which ran from 1 December to 1 January inclusive. This was an approximate 50-50 split of drink-driving and drug-driving.
During the same period, Surrey Police made 186 arrests.
Chief Inspector Michael Hodder, of the Surrey and Sussex Roads Policing Unit, said:
“These statistics show that there is still a minority of people who think drink and drug-driving is acceptable, with little regard to their lives or those of other people.
“There is simply no excuse for this and we will always take these incidents extremely seriously.
“Fortunately, the vast majority of road users are sensible and law-abiding but there are still some people who refuse to comply.
“It cannot be overstated how enormous the consequences of drink and drug-driving are. Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can impair your judgement and seriously increase the risk of you injuring or killing yourself or someone else.
“We will be identifying anyone who is convicted as a result of this campaign, and we hope that this will serve as an extra deterrent to those people who refuse to stop this unacceptable behaviour.”
If you’re prepared to drive under the influence of drink or drugs, prepare to face the consequences. These could include the following:
- Killing or seriously injuring yourself or someone else;
- A minimum 12 month ban;
- An unlimited fine;
- A possible prison sentence;
- A criminal record, which could affect your current and future employment;
- An increase in your car insurance costs;
- Trouble travelling to countries such as the USA.
If you know someone is driving while over the limit or after taking drugs, call 999.
This campaign is run in conjunction with the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership and DriveSmart in Surrey
Police take enforcement action against those breaching Covid-19 regulations in Sussex
Police in Sussex took enforcement action against those found to be blatantly breaching the government’s Covid-19 regulations over the first weekend of the country’s third national lockdown.
The force issued 45 Fixed Penalty Notices (fines) to people across the county were found to have willfully disregarded the rules.
Officers were patrolling areas and communities at the weekend, engaging with the public and where necessary urging people to do the right thing by following the restrictions; which are in place to save lives and protect the NHS.
Enforcement action included issuing a fine to a man who was supposed to be self isolating after testing positive for Covid-19, but instead went to peoples’ homes to cut and style their hair in Hastings. A driver from Surrey, who when stopped by officers for speeding, claimed he was rushing to deal with an alarm which was going off at his business in Brighton yet could not give any legitimate details of the premises or an address for it. Therefore he did not have a reasonable excuse for making an essential journey.
Superintendent Julia Pope said: “We know this is an extremely difficult time for everyone, however the actions we take and the decisions we make now can help save lives.
“This pandemic has been ongoing for almost a year now, and so we are all familiar with what we should be doing to play our part in stopping the spread of the virus.
“We know the overwhelming majority of people in Sussex are doing the right thing by staying home, wearing masks and social distancing, but unfortunately a small minority of people continue to ignore the rules.
“The restrictions are in place for a reason – any unnecessary contact had with someone is a potential link to a vulnerable person. Everyone has a responsibility to make the right decisions. It is disappointing that our officers have to take this enforcement action again this weekend against those who are still blatantly breaching the rules as if they do not apply to them.
“It’s so important, now as much as ever, that we pull together and do what we need to do to protect our NHS and our communities from the virus.”
“We need to stay strong, work together and protect each other” – Assistant Chief Constable Dave Miller
Since February 2020, Assistant Chief Constable Dave Miller has been leading Operation Apollo, Surrey Police and Sussex Police’s Covid-19 response. He is also Chair of the Sussex Resilience Forum; a multi-agency partnership including local authorities, emergency services, the NHS, volunteers and other key agencies which prepares, responds to and recovers from emergencies and major incidents. In this open letter, he shares his Covid experience and reflects on the past 12 months.
Thinking back to this time last year, I remember using the word ‘coronavirus’ as something quite removed from my daily life. A talking point. A virus, rapidly spreading in the Far East, though not yet impacting us here in the UK. As the police, we planned for its probable arrival.
Developing a strategy around a possible worst case scenario as we would for any major incident and indeed, along with other public sector agencies, we had plans in place for pandemic flu. But this turned out to be quite different.
We could never have imagined what we are faced by now – our country, gripped by a disease which is not only controlling lives, it’s taking them too. All of us have been seriously affected by Covid – whether that’s contracting the disease, lockdown, being furloughed, or losing someone.
I write to you now as someone who tested positive six weeks ago, along with my immediate family. Today, I still suffer from this invisible enemy – the coughing fits and fatigue for example. I have a brother who is working exhaustingly to keep a care team running in Brighton; watching him struggle as they attempt to provide 24/7 care to people who desperately need it. As a school governor and father, I too am experiencing the challenges parents are facing as yet again they are asked to balance work and childcare at short notice.
Like many of us, I have friends in the NHS and hear how very difficult it has been and continues to be for them, their patients and families.
None of us are immune. None of us. And seems to be a complete lottery as to how we’ll be affected. We can all contract it and pass it on, some of us without even knowing we are doing it.
Through my role leading the Resilience Forum, I see my colleagues in the public sector doing all that they can to fulfil the commitment they made when choosing a public service career.
NHS staff working night and day to save lives. Teachers rapidly adapting their techniques to continue supporting our next generation and the social workers, preventing harm as a result of complex living environments. It’s a true multi-agency partnership – police officers working on logistics, fire officers helping to manage vaccinations, people working through the night to ensure those who require PPE receive it.
Twelve months ago, while I knew this was coming, I was concerned, not fearful. Now I am. I am worried for the people who are vulnerable; for the elderly. I fear for our children and the lack of socialisation they are experiencing. I worry for the long-term impact of Covid on myself and my family. But most of all, I worry about the people who are not adhering to the guidelines – the ones not concerned by police enforcement or social responsibility. The ones where even the pain and suffering that this horrible virus is inflicting on humanity isn’t enough to prevent them from taking responsibility and keeping each other safe.
Fortunately, as we heard from the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, and Martin Hewitt, Chair of the National Police Chiefs Council, this week; the vast majority of people are law abiding and as a Chief Police Officer, I thank you for this. In Surrey and Sussex, the vast majority of people listen, accept the advice and take personal responsibility to play their part when it is needed most.
Yet sadly there is still a minority who think the law, and the guidance, does not apply to them.
We are in a third national lockdown. Our excess death rate has risen to its highest level since World War Two. And the infection rate continues to climb exponentially.
It is therefore not ok to be reckless or irresponsible because we are tired, frustrated, bored. I know it’s difficult, but it’s just not acceptable to bend the rules, even slightly. I say that as a neighbour, member of the public, father, friend and also as a senior police leader.
Which is why, as the police service, we will continue to support our healthcare colleagues by doing all that we can to keep people safe and prevent deaths. We will continue to adopt an approach which centres on engagement, explaining and encouragement, imploring people to make good choices.
For those who blatantly disregard the rules, we will ensure they are dealt with when justified, necessary and proportionate because they are putting others at risk. People are dying and that’s not acceptable.
Please respect that our police officers and staff have a job to do, both in day-to-day policing and in supporting the Covid effort. Expect they may interact with you, ask you questions, encourage you to consider your actions. They are there putting themselves, and therefore their families at risk, daily doing a very challenging job at the best of times – catching criminals, keeping people safe, answering emergency calls, responding to incidents, investigating crime and the many other things the police service needs to do to deliver the best service we can. I’m immensely proud of them, but it’s far from easy even for our committed people.
As police officers we swear to protect life first and foremost. Which is why when every unnecessary contact is a possible infection, another hospital bed and potentially another life lost, we will do all that we can to play our part in stopping this virus.
We ask that you do the same – stay home, save lives, protect our NHS.
Thank you.
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 07770 700642 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.
Crime Summary
A property off Ruston Bridge Road, Uckfield, reported tools, and metals stolen from their property overnight on the 7-8th January. Unknown suspects have forced locks on storage containers to gain entry. (293 of 8/1 relates)
A cycle was reported stolen from a property off Tollwood Road, Crowborough during the day time of the 8th January. Unknown suspects have gained entry to a garage and taken the item. (1372 of 8/1 relates)
A distraction burglary was reported at a property off Sloe Lane, Polegate during the afternoon of the 12th. A male described as tall, white, large build with greying hair in his 50’s distracted homeowners explaining their car had been scratched outside, whilst looking a second suspect has entered the home. A vehicle registration number was obtained by the victims and a suspect male was later caught arrested by officers. (827 of 12/01 relates)
There have been no further reports of burglaries on the Wealden district between the 08/01-15/01.
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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