Hello

July sees the start of some important national campaigns beginning with the Home Office’s Safer Summer Streets initiative running from 30 June until September.

The national campaign is led by PCCs and Chief Constables and involves many partners - including police, councils, schools, health services, businesses and transport – working together to tackle anti-social behaviour, particularly in town centres during the busy summer period.

In Sussex, our Force will use a strategy known as ‘hot spot policing’ to gather evidence and tackle crime in specific areas.

You may have heard the term before but what does it mean? Hot spots are identified areas with persistently high levels of crime or disorder. Every county has hot spots and, quite often, they’re in high footfall areas, like town centres but they can also include specific buildings, certain roads or even particular addresses.

Hot spot policing involves using an increased, frequent, visible policing presence, because evidence shows this not only deters criminals but also minimises the crime opportunities for offenders.

Whilst the campaign will see a renewed focus on town centres, hot spot policing is not new to Sussex. In April last year, my office secured £1.4 million from the Home Office to expand policing efforts in 29 areas with higher crime rates and anti-social behaviour across our county.

This led to a 15% reduction in crime and a 20% reduction in anti-social behaviour - proof that targeted and visible policing works.

Our partners (listed above) also have a key role to play in ensuring safety this summer, with involvement in projects such as improved lighting, public engagement and working with police to manage large-scale summer events.

I look forward to seeing more positive results from our Force and partners throughout the summer months and hearing how the campaign is landing in other parts of the country.

What happens after the crash?

In the UK, every 17 minutes someone is killed or seriously injured on the roads and, since 2022, national figures show that road deaths have increased by 5%.

Injuries and deaths on the road are usually down to what police call the ‘fatal five’ causes: speeding; drink and drug driving; not wearing a seatbelt; and distraction - like using a mobile ‘phone.  All these are preventable.

It is likely that, at some point in our lives, we’ve walked or driven past a devastating crash.  Sadly, for those involved, the moment often marks a life changed forever – whether that’s from trauma, injury, loss or even the end of a life. Recently, Sussex Police posted a video showing the horrific consequences of what can happen if you look at your phone when driving.

That is why, in Sussex, I provide funding to road safety charity Brake, to deliver a unique service that sees victims and family members receive specialist support after a crash. Our dedicated Independent Road Safety Advocate/caseworker has been in place for over a year now and has already supported 147 people.

Last week, our Sussex caseworker spoke to Brake’s national conference about his role, discussing how he provides emotional and practical help as well as support with court cases, seeking and using lawyers and injury rehabilitation.

Too many people are being seriously injured or killed on our roads so we need to be more ambitious and innovative if we want to see fewer lives lost and families devasted. That is why, in Sussex, we are developing a new policing unit in the near future, specifically designed to tackle the ‘fatal five’. I look forward to updating you on this soon.

Katy Bourne OBE
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner