Thursday 21st January 2021
Wealden Police weekly News and Alerts
Police investigating two attempted ATM thefts in East Sussex
Police are appealing for witnesses following two attempted ATM thefts in East Sussex.
Officers are investigating break-ins at a HSBC branch in High Street, Uckfield, around 3am on Friday (January 15) and a second HSBC branch in High Street, Lewes, around 3am on Monday (January 18).
In both cases, entry has been gained to the bank foyer but attempts to remove the cash machine from inside have been unsuccessful.
Detective Chief Inspector Alasdair Henry said: “These two incidents appear to be part of a wider series across the South East, and we are working closely with our colleagues in other forces to share information in an effort to find those responsible.
“Although the suspects have left empty-handed, their actions still have a serious impact on the businesses targeted and people in the wider community.
“Rest assured, each incident is being thoroughly investigated by our officers using the technology and forensic resources available to us.
“If anyone has any information about either of the burglaries, or if they recognise the people pictured in the CCTV image, please get in touch. This includes if you have witnessed somebody acting suspiciously in the vicinity of a bank or ATM.
“No matter how small you think the information may be, it could help us piece together a bigger picture of what has happened and help us identify those responsible.”
Members of the public can report information to police online or by calling 101 quoting Operation Kafka. If a crime is ongoing, please call 999.
Any information about these incidents will be treated in confidence. If people would prefer to pass on information anonymously, this can be done via the independent charity Crimestoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111.
Rural Crime Team Appeal
Sussex Police’s Rural Crime Team (RCT) is asking the public to respect the countryside while they are out exercising after a number of reports of sheep worrying, damage to stock fencing and removal of signs put up by landowners over weekend.
The team has been stepping up patrols in rural areas, beauty spots and countryside areas which are proving popular with people looking to take their daily exercise during the third national lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Farmer John Wheatland says his fences behind the Battle Abbey area have been deliberately cut. He said: “It is a constant worry for me. My cows and calves get out onto public land and I have to get there as quickly as possible to get them back onto my land.”
Inspector Andrea Leahy from the RCT said: “We appreciate that the public want to enjoy the beautiful rural areas in Sussex but we are asking them to please respect the rules of the countryside.
“If you are walking your dog in the countryside and are unfamiliar with the area, always keep your dog on the lead as there could be sheep and cattle nearby that you aren’t aware of it. We have had several incidents of sheep worrying reported to us already this year across the county including at Steyning, Hassocks, Pett Level, Burwash and Funtington.
“Sheep worrying is an offence and you could be liable for prosecution and heavy financial penalties if your dog is involved in an incident of this type.
“Always plan your route, stick to footpaths and please abide by any signs or rules, don’t remove them or deface them as they are there for a reason and also please do not remove stock fencing or damage it. We have had reports from farmers and landowners about their cattle escaping out onto public land or into the road because stock fencing has been removed.
“Farmers work hard to maintain their boundaries to ensure their animals remain enclosed and safe. Cutting fencing is criminal damage and the rural crime team will take action.
“Also if you arrive at a beauty spot or rural area and it is busy with other people, please leave the area and find a quieter area to exercise.”
There are a number of published footpaths which can be found using websites such as footpathmap.co.uk. These footpaths include the appropriate access routes using either gates or styles.
Anyone who witnesses such incidents can report online or ring 101.
The RCT which was launched in 2020 was made possible with the precept increase, as acquired by Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne at the start of the last financial year. The new funding allowed for more enforcement and greater local policing presence, part of which is rural crime.
If you wish to contact the Rural Crime Team please email RuralCrime.Team@sussex.pnn.police.uk or follow them on @SussexRuralCops
Register Your Tools With Immobilise
Following reports of burglaries across the district in the last week, where tools have been targeted, Wealden Police are advising and reminding owners of expensive/working tools, to register them online.
Please visit: www.immobilise.com/ where you can register your work, or personal tools;
Benefits of Registration
- Immobilise helps Police identify the owners of recovered property thousands of times everyday.
- Property updates you make are immediately available to the Police nationally.
- Combat the sale of stolen gadgets & valuables; alert the second-hand trade & publicly checkable stolen goods database CheckMEND if an item goes missing.
- Simplify insurance claims and Police reports with certificates of ownership
As well as registering your property, businesses across Sussex are being urged to think about increasing their security and taking burglary crime prevention advice if their premises remains closed during the current Government Covid-19 new tier system.
For more advice and support on how to protect your business from burglary, please check out our top tips here.
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 Lindfield Drive, Hailsham was entered sometime over the last week when unknown suspects have forced entry to the rear of the property. Owners returned to find the property insecure and a messy search conducted inside. (457 of 16/01)
A shed at an education property off Fletching Street, Mayfield was broken into in the small hours of the 16th January. Unknown suspects have forced off locks on the shed to gain entry, nothing was taken. (1110 of 16/01)
Overnight on the 19th January, a container off a construction site on Grinstead Lane, East Grinstead was broken into. Unknown suspects have used tools to remove locks from the secure container. High value tools and machinery were stolen from the container, as well as other tools from inside the site office. Officers are conducting CCTV and house to house trawls. (0204 of 20/01)
2 male intruders were disrupted at a commercial property on Bayham Road, Bells Yew Green around 1900 hours on the 20th January. Officers have attended but the informant had seen off the suspects prior to arrival. Fortunately nothing was stolen, electrical equipment was believed to have been the target. (283 of 20/01)
A shed at a business address of B218 Groomsbridge, was broken into overnight on the 20th January. Unknown suspects have used force and tools to gain entry to a secure shed, once inside have targeted tools and vehicle parts. (227 of 21/01)
There have been no further reports of burglaries on the Wealden district between the 15/01 – 21/01.
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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