Eastbourne crackdown

20 May 2010, 18:36

Officers from Eastbourne Police teamed up with colleagues from British Transport Police, Eastbourne Borough Council, residents and licensed premises to target drug related crime and anti-social behaviour.

This is the Police statement

Local officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team have spent their week conducting high visibility patrols of locations within the town centre under the umbrella of ‘Operation Ambrose’. Officers targeted persistent street drinkers, visited all second hand dealers with a view to reducing the opportunities for thieves finding outlets for stolen property and completed environmental audits of areas in need of good a clean up from litter, graffiti and drug and alcohol related debris.

Sergeant Gareth Evans, neighbourhood policing team said: "This type of coordinated approach has proved to be really successful. Officers worked throughout the day and night to target and bring offenders to justice and disrupt their criminal activities.

"In just seven days we have made 10 arrests of offenders wanted on warrant to appear at court and 14 arrests for a variety of other offences ranging from vehicle crime, burglary, assault and criminal damage. We also stopped 200 people suspected of involvement in criminal activity."

PC Ginnie Jupp, Eastbourne’s Anti-Social Behaviour Officer is particularly pleased as officers also made two arrests of well known street drinkers found in breach of their Anti-Social Behaviour Orders. Steven Smith, 38 and Jemma Bradshaw 30, have been charged and will appear before Eastbourne Magistrates on 27 and 28 May, respectively.

She said: "This type of positive reporting from the public and action by police really supports the work that we do with the courts to tackle anti-social behaviour. It also sends a clear message to people with ASBOs that their behaviour will not be tolerated and they will be arrested if they breach their ASBO conditions."

Finally, work has been taking place to disrupt people dealing drugs in Eastbourne. Chief Inspector Jayne Dando said: "This week officers have executed four search warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act, resulting in two arrests for cultivation offences and the seizure of 80 cannabis plants. We have also been helped out by our colleagues from British Transport Police who visited the train station on Friday 14 May with a drugs dog.

"A small team of officers trained in the use of a special 'Iontrack' machine visited the town centre pubs, bars and clubs on Saturday 15 May looking for drugs. They went to a whole range of venues and used specially designed swabs looking for traces of controlled substances. This type of initiative promotes responsible management of licensed premises by reducing the use and supply of recreational drugs, which can result in less drug and alcohol fuelled violence.

"Work throughout this week has been extremely productive and the team are constantly looking at new and fresh ideas to keep the pressure on the criminals, working hard to serve the people of Eastbourne."