Crime has been reduced in town centre hotspots across Sussex this summer thanks to increased visible policing patrols and close working with businesses and partners.
July saw the start of the Safer Streets Summer initiative, a national campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour, particularly in town centres during the busy summer period.
There’s been a significant drop in reports of all crime in targeted town centres, including a drop in violent crime and shoplifting, as part of the campaign.
The increased police presence - more than 4,000 hours of additional patrols this summer - led to 230 stop searches, 32 weapons seized and 172 arrests.
The additional patrols and proactive policing during the campaign was enhanced by Night Safety Marshals working in the daytime to engage with vulnerable people and provide extra eyes and ears.
Officers have disrupted drug supply networks, provided quick and effective responses to business crime, shoplifting and assaults and targeted enforcement with partners.
Working closely with businesses and encouraging reporting of crime allows Sussex Police to get a more accurate picture of what is happening locally and enables them to focus patrols at peak times to reduce harm.
If you have any concerns in your area please report them. Your information helps Sussex Police direct their resources to where they are needed most.
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, and Sussex Mayor hopeful, Katy Bourne OBE on the shoplifting pandemic blighting our high streets and retail parks:
"I promised that we would take shop theft seriously in Sussex so I am delighted that, for the first time ever, electronic tagging technology is now being used to address persistent shoplifting.
Operation STOP (Shop Theft Offender Pilot) takes direct aim at prolific shoplifters, using electronic tags to deter repeat offending. This groundbreaking project is already delivering real results in East Sussex, where it is currently being trialled.
Sussex Police has secured two Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs), including electronic tagging conditions, following shop theft convictions. The CBOs include exclusion zones around the locations of the offences (Co-op stores in Eastbourne and Hastings). The offenders are banned from entering these areas and each of them must wear an electronic tag for 12 months. Their movements will be closely monitored and any breaches of the tag will be acted on swiftly.
As the national PCC lead for business and retail crime, I know the real impact shop theft has on local businesses and communities. Deterrents need to be more effective and punishments must be meaningful. Operation STOP is a proactive step forward in achieving this. These early court outcomes in Sussex set a strong precedent for national action to follow.
This week I've spoken to several national and local media outlets to share these successes. You can read more about this pioneering project in the news section on my website and I look forward to keeping you updated on its progress.
The first film in my new 'Sussex Snapshots' video series is now live, spotlighting positive results in Worthing town centre over the summer months: a 36% reduction in anti-social behaviour reports and a 22% drop in total crime reports (from August 2024 to July 2025).
This reduction is supported by Sussex Police's ongoing efforts to encourage reporting, specifically around anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, through the national Safer Summer Streets initiative."
