Sussex Police welcomes
a further 72 new officers
Sussex Police has
welcomed a further 72 new PC recruits. This latest intake of officers, our
largest in a decade, were sworn in at a formal ceremony last week.
They boost the total
number of new constables in the last year to 270, much of the recruitment made
possible by the increase in last year’s council tax.
The new recruits, who
were welcomed by Assistant Chief Constable Nick May at the attestation
ceremony at The Amex Stadium on March 6, have just started 15 weeks of
intensive training and will join policing teams across Sussex this June.
New recruit PC Nathan
Wells, who has 5 years’ experience as a police contact handler and force
controller in Surrey, is looking forward to giving back to the community:
“I joined Sussex
Police to help those in need. I want to be that public figure people know
they can go to. I am looking forward to coming home after a hard day’s work
and knowing I’ve made a positive impact on a person’s life.”
New recruit PC
Fareesha Campin has run her own charity but becoming a police officer
remained a lifelong ambition. “I believe now the time is right. I want to use
the skills I’ve gained with charities working with both vulnerable adults and
children to help people in communities in Sussex.”
“I want to make more
of an active difference to my community in Brighton and Hove,” said PC Sophie
King, a law graduate who has chosen the police over the legal practice.
“When I was younger I
always looked up to the police, and I think it’s really important for me now
to be a positive role model to the children within my community.”
Assistant Chief
Constable Nick May said: “I was delighted to personally welcome the 72 new
officers at the ceremony and launch them on their new careers. As Assistant
Chief Constable for local policing, I am pleased to see so many new officers
who will be joining policing teams across Sussex in June 2019.
“This is our largest
recruitment of constables in a decade and is part of an ongoing recruitment
of over 800 officers in the next three years, resulting in a growth of 200
new officers by 2022.
“This game-changing
increase in recruitment, made possible by the increase in the council tax
policing precept, will make a difference to the communities of Sussex,
improving our visibility and strengthening local policing where most needed.”
Sussex Police and
Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “I am pleased to see another 72
warranted officers welcomed into Sussex Police this week as they continue on
their four-year recruitment drive made possible by the support from local
taxpayers.
“With an extra 250
officers, 50 specialist investigators and 100 PCSOs in Sussex Police’s
recruitment plans, the public can be reassured that their investment will be
spent in further strengthening local policing.
“I look forward to meeting
this new cohort of officers and following their training and deployment as
they acquire the unique skills and experience so valued by our local
communities.”
Op Sceptre – National
Knife Crime Awareness and Action Week
Operation
Sceptre, originally started by the Metropolitan Police Service, is a
twice-yearly run campaign that aims to tackle the danger that knife crime
poses by educating those most at risk and carrying out proactive work that
takes knives off our streets.
Together with 44
police forces, Sussex saw a host of tactics and targeted action during the
week, this included:
-test shops on selling
knives to under-18’s
-carrying out more
stop and search
-speaking to young
people in schools/colleges
-offering guidance on
the behaviours associated with knife crime
-highlighting our
no-questions asked amnesty bins at front offices
Lewes Prevention
officers also visited local schools, colleges, and youth events in order to
inform and educate young people about how to act if they feel pressured to
carry a knife, and what to do if they feel in danger.
Officers attended East
Sussex College on Monday, promoting and raising awareness around knife crime,
offering support and advice to students and parents, and educating them on
the dangers of carrying knives and it’s consequences.
Youth Officers along
with PC Adrian Cooper from the Youth Offenders Team gave group lessons on
offensive weapons/knife crime which was very well received and some great
conversations were had. Some 1-1 work was done with students during their
lunchtime where a stall was set up with seized weapons shown to further
highlight the dangers.
Other schools and
youth groups attended included, Newhaven Scout Group where youth officers
gave a talk about knives whilst scouts gained their knife badge, and Lewes
Road Youth Group where officers spoke to groups and answered questions on how
to safely carry knives for fishing and forest trips.
More than 12 schools
and colleges so far this week were visited across Sussex, and officers spoke
with more than 1,900 young people about dangers of carrying a knife.
This work will
continue into the coming weeks.
Throughout the week
local teams also took to the roads and parked up in high streets and
supermarkets in and around Lewes. On Wednesday Lewes Prevention teams spoke
to passers-by in Cliffe high street, and outside Tesco, answering questions
around knife crime, and offering parents advice on possible signs to look out
for should they suspect their child to be carrying a knife.
Possible signs to look
for:
-Are there any knives
missing from your home?
-do you think your
child is being bullied or been a recent victim of theft or bullying?
-Is school or college
not going well, are they missing with an older network?
What to do if you
suspect a child in your care is carrying a knife?
-if possible speak to
them, or are there other adult/family members that can help?
-Remind them to walk
away if confronted with threat of violence
-Talk to other parents
or carer and share experiences, they may feel the same way, and together you
may feel more able to act.
For more advice and
support, parents and carers can contact ‘Family Lives’ on 0808 8002222 or
visit www.familylives.org.uk
PCSO recruitment opens
in Sussex (applications close midnight 25th March)
Lewes Prevention
Officers attended Lewes College careers day this week, where PCSOs answered
questions from students looking to join Sussex Police, and gave direct
accounts of what their day to day duties included.
Officers also spoke to
students about our new PCSO apprenticeship programme that combines on the job
and off the job learning; resulting in achieving a diploma in Community
Policing Practice which is a level 4 qualification.
This is a job that
matters to the public, but it also matters to us.
You’ll be a hugely
important part of the Sussex Police team and, as such, we will give you:
- Starting salary of £21,507 plus shift allowance in the region of £5,000 per year
- 24 days holiday a year (increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service).
- A place on our PCSO apprenticeship programme.
- Lifestyle Discounts including discounted gym membership, discounted travel and eye care scheme.
- Cycle to Work scheme – you can obtain a new bike to travel to work through your salary, saving on tax and national insurance.
- Employee Assistance Programme covering a range of health, wellbeing and lifestyle support
- Staff Support Networks including Evolve (gender equality), Race Equality, LGBT and Enable (disability & carers’ association)
Want to find out more:
www.sussex.police.uk/police-forces/sussex-police/areas/careers/jobs/pcsos/
Crime summary
During the afternoon
of the 11th, 2 males, one in his 30’s, and one in his 50’s
(approx.) have used distraction techniques acting as workers from the water
board to gain entry into a property in East Albany Road whereby victim’s
family jewellery, and other personal items have been taken.
The
males were described as Male 1:- White, late 30’s early 40’s, 5’10 and of
slim build. Had short light reddish hair and possibly some stubble. Was
wearing a bright reflective jacket and looked like a plumber
Male
2: – white, 50’s taller than male 1 and bigger build. He was wearing a
chequered flat cap.
Police investigations
continue, anyone with information in relation to this CAD 0679 of the 11/03
relates.
On the evening of the
12th, suspects have taken cash, and jewellery from a property on
Kingston Way in Seaford whereby suspects have gained entry via the rear glass
doors, once smashed offenders have proceeded to take the items from rooms
within the house. Police investigations are ongoing. (1113 of 12/03 relates)
Help us keep Sussex
safe
If you saw or heard
anything, or have any information about any incident in this message please contact
us online, email us at 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or
call 101,
quoting the reference number provided.
Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers,
anonymously, on 0800 555
111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org