News and Events

The Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Latest Update

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Hello

Next Thursday (15 January) I will hold my first Performance & Accountability Meeting (PAM) of 2026 where I will question Chief Constable Jo Shiner on a number of key issues currently affecting policing in Sussex.

This month’s meeting will focus on the provisional police grant settlement for 2026/27, which was announced by the Government in December. Almost half (43%) of police funding in Sussex comes from the police precept - the amount we pay for policing through our Council Tax. I will be asking the Chief Constable what this provisional settlement means for Sussex Police and how it plans to meet its share of the efficiency savings demanded by Government.

Other topics on the agenda for discussion at the PAM include Operation Limit - the Force’s Christmas drink-and-drug-drive campaign; county lines and cuckooing - how the Force is tackling organised crime and protecting vulnerable residents; and firearms licensing - including the work ongoing by Sussex Police to reduce delays and improve automation.

The PAM will be live streamed on my webcasting platform from 13:00 on Thursday 15 January. A recording of the meeting will be available to view after.

 

Community Speedwatch District Administrator Volunteer Role

 

Sussex Police's Road Safety Team are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to expand its established team in assisting with the day-to-day administration of Community SpeedWatch across Sussex.

Volunteers make a vital difference to the police's work to reduce speeding vehicles across the county, having a direct impact on the number of people who are killed or seriously injured on the roads.

If you are interested in supporting road safety in Sussex, then we would like to hear from you. Applicants will be invited to take part in a professional discussion after the job advert closes.

Speeding and anti-social driving are among the most frequent concerns raised with me by residents across Sussex - from quiet villages to busy town centres - and it's understandable that our communities are demanding action.

That’s why I’ve backed the creation of the Force's dedicated Fatal Five Unit - an intelligence-led team focused on the most dangerous driving behaviours.

We’re listening, we’re acting and we’re determined to make Sussex’s roads safer for everyone.

 

Katy

Katy Bourne OBE
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner

FRIDAY FORCE FOCUS

   

Record number of arrests in Christmas crackdown on drink and drug-drivers

A record number of people have been arrested as Sussex Police concludes its Christmas crackdown on drink and drug-drivers.

Officers were out across the county providing education and enforcement as part of the annual operation, which ran from 1 December to 1 January.

The force also heavily publicised the campaign in an effort to raise awareness of the risks of drink and drug-driving – this included multiple social media posts, leaflets, posters and petrol pump messaging.

Despite this, a total of 279 people were arrested. Of those, so far 97 have been charged to appear in court and some have already been convicted.

Drugs on wheels is a concerning trend and a one-way ticket to disaster on our roads.

Every time someone makes that choice, they put their own lives at risk as well as the lives of other road users.

The record number of arrests during the latest Operation Limit campaign sends a clear message - Sussex Police will not tolerate this behaviour.

It will continue to publicly identify anyone convicted of drink or drug-driving during this campaign to raise awareness of the issue and to act as a deterrent to others from committing the same offence.

The Force's new dedicated Fatal Five Unit, which is launching later this month, will educate drivers, enforce the law and deal robustly with those who break it.

Be warned - if you drink or take drugs and drive, the chances are you will be caught.