Neighbourhood Policing Success in Hastings
This week Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne joined District Commander for Hastings and Rother, Chief Inspector Simon Yates and partners in Hastings Town Centre to acknowledge the successful work of a dedicated policing team within the town centre and old town.
Partners on the day included: Councillor Julia Hilton; Hastings Business Improvement District Manager John Bownas; Community Safety Partnership Manager John Whittington and Council Wardens.
Chief Inspector Yates realigned the Hastings Neighbourhood Policing Team after analysis showed that Castle Ward was creating the largest demand on police with retail crime; business burglary; anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls.
The plan put a Sergeant, two Police Constables and six Police Community Support Officers solely in Hastings Town Centre and Old Town, giving residents and businesses a noticeable increased presence. CI Yates has also been working to strengthen ties with local partners to further increase support for the area.
This new deployment and patrol patterns have been in place since January of this year and has already seen a high volume of successful outcomes, particularly on retail crime.
In East Sussex alone, successful outcomes (achieving positive results in addressing crime and related issues, encompassing not only the prosecution of offenders but also restorative and community-based solutions) have increased by 156.6% compared to the previous rolling year and successful proportion has increased by 6.8 percentage points.
From January 1 to April 1 2025, 28 individuals have been charged with a form of retail crime - such as shoplifting or assault - with Sussex Police prioritising charges over Out of Court Disposals to increase the quality of justice for victims.
Five prolific offenders within the Castle Ward have already been charged with multiple offences:
- A woman has been charged with 33 offences and 10 Taken into Consideration offences for shoplifting
- A man has been charged with 21 offences of theft shoplifting
- A man has been charged with 37 counts of theft shoplifting
- A man has been charged with 1 count of business burglary and 2 counts of theft shoplifting
- A man has been charged with burglary, assault, shoplifting, fraud involving stolen bank cards, going equipped to steal and possession of drug offences
- A man has been charged with 5 offences of theft shoplifting and remains on bail for a further 11 offences while evidence is gathered
Across February and March, Sussex Police have also seen decreases in criminal damage, anti-social behaviour and burglary across Hastings when compared to the previous month and year.
To celebrate the success of the dedicated team, PCC Katy Bourne met with Chief Inspector Yates and his team within the town centre. Speaking about their work, Katy Bourne said:
“It’s pleasing to see the success that the local policing team has made in Hastings town centre in such a short space of time, particularly in tackling business and retail crime which affects us all.
“I must congratulate Chief Inspector Yates and his team for their proactive work tackling a rising issue. I am sure that residents visiting Hastings town centre and Old Town will feel reassured with the visible policing presence should they ever require help or assistance.”
Chief Inspector Simon Yates reflects on the work of his team:
“I'm really proud of the success of the team since implementing them into the town. It's key that we work with partners locally to enhance trust and confidence so all businesses, and the members of the public that use our town centres on a daily basis feel safe. The results of their presence determination and professionalism speaks for themselves. There have been some significant charges laid on prolific offenders, these being supported with additional orders such as criminal behaviour orders, prohibiting them from returning to the town centre.
“We are working closely as a partnership to enhance the regeneration of the town and design out crime as best we can.
“As the weather improves and the evenings are lighter patrols will be extended to ensure everybody feel safer.”
You can watch a short video about the day below: