We want to keep you informed in relation to some of the partnership's work and hope you find this both informative and useful. This complements our bi-monthly newsletter which will continue to provide a more in depth look at our priority areas.
Coming up in this Issue........................
Vulnerable victims of fraud and rogue trading Friends Against Scams
Domestic, Sexual Violence & Abuse and Violence against Women and Girls Ask Me Ambassadors
Update from the District & Borough Community Safety Partnerships
Safer Hastings Partnership - Public Space Protection Order
Safe in East Sussex Newsletter
In Focus - Modern Slavery
Following on from the successful launch of the East Sussex Against Scams Partnership in March, over 30 organisations (comprising businesses, clubs, councils, societies, voluntary groups etc) have signed up to express their willingness to Take a Stand Against Scams.
They are choosing to support the project in many ways, for example, they have:
• Organised presentations for councillors and the general public (as per Mayfield & Five Ashes Parish Council signage left)
• Shared messages on social media – some key messages can be found here
• Invited the Team along to events to hold display stands and meet other potential Charter partners
• Showed their support on their web pages – see example here
• Written magazine articles about the Friends Against Scams awareness initiative, encouraging residents to do the 20 minute online session and learn how to protect themselves from criminals.
It is hoped many ESASP Charter Partners will also participate in some way towards sharing key messages during Scams Awareness Month in July which will raise a heightened awareness in East Sussex about the different ways local communities are being targeted by criminals.
If you belong to an organisation that would be interested in making it harder for people in our local communities to be scammed, find out more information about the Charter by visiting the website or contact Elaine Bowdery (Elaine.bowdery@eastsussex.gov.uk).
Details of useful contact numbers where we can report suspicions about scams can be found on the website.
Remember, scams are fraud and fraud is a crime. We should not ignore them!
Domestic, Sexual Violence & Abuse and Violence against Women and Girls
Ask Me Ambassadors
The Safer East Sussex Partnership and CGL (which provides support in the county for survivors of domestic abuse through ‘The Portal’ service) are partnering with Women’s Aid and Welsh Women’s Aid to pilot an exciting new scheme locally. We are launching ‘ask me’, a new project that will strengthen the way communities respond to domestic abuse.
‘ask me’ is a scheme that will train individuals in places where survivors already visit, and may be free to talk openly: a local supermarket, a hair salon, or a café, for example. The scheme is targeted at community members and businesses. If you know anyone who might be interested, please ask them to contact Laura Dix, the ‘ask me’ Pilot Co-ordinator at askme@womensaid.org.uk.
Domestic Violence and Abuse, Sexual Violence and Violence Against Women and Girls newsletter
For more information on the partnership's work around domestic violence and abuse, sexual violence and violence against women and girls, there is now a bi-monthly newsletter which aims to provide regular e-news, including national, regional and local updates and information for local champions.
Click on the image to sign up for regular updates.
Update from the District and Borough Community Safety Partnerships
Safer Hastings Partnership
The Safer Hastings Partnership (SHP) continues to develop a range of initiatives, and fosters good relations between the constituent partner agencies set up to tackle crime, disorder and fear.
The Public Space Protection Order, www.hastings.gov.uk/pspo, has taken considerable time to implement. It ‘goes live on the 12th June 2017. It bans the public consumption of alcohol and any drug use/abuse in central Hastings, central St Leonards-on-sea and in George Street Hastings Old Town. Aggressive begging and reducing antisocial behaviour are also included. The Hastings Business Improvement District Warden is now on patrol in town acting as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the business community. The Council is just about to launch the use of new wardens to enforce littering and dog fouling measures too, another PSPO on dog control was also agreed at the same time.
Support agencies continue in Hastings to work out enhanced coordination when faced with members of the street community dealing with all their needs from mental health and addictions to financial advice and socialising.
A small group of the street community have settled on the beach, causing considerable concern amongst residents and visitors. Obviously their housing and health needs need to be met. Steps are in hand to transition them as soon as possible.
The Safer Hastings & Safer Rother Partnerships are meeting again in late June to discuss developments local to the area, including coordinating funding streams. If you wish to raise any local community safety issues, please do not hesitate to contact the SHP on communitysafety@hastings.gov.uk or visit its website www.saferhastings.co.uk
Safe in East Sussex Newsletter: In Focus - Modern Slavery
Other News
Citizens In Policing Awards
Matt West, a valued member of the Safer East Sussex Team was awarded the South East Regional special constable of the year at this year’s Citizens in Policing awards on Saturday 6th May 2017. He was chosen from hundreds of Special Constables throughout Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Kent and Thames Valley.
Matt, who also works as Hate Crime Co-Ordinator was given the award for his work as a special for the past 30 years. He has for the last three years had the sole responsibility for liaising with victims of fraud often elderly and vulnerable. He has restored confidence and signposted to relevant agencies. He has helped around 50 victims, several being complex cases, where loses have been over £50,000.
He said: "Receiving the award was a great surprise for me and I feel really proud. I believe as a Special I give something back to the community. I also accept this for all Specials across Sussex and the UK, which do an excellent job of supporting their regular colleagues and the communities they serve in.
"In my 32 years I have enjoyed my time and experienced a wide variety of incidents and different types of people. In my role of working with victims of fraud I have worked with a large number of victims , who had suffered from people scamming that out of high amounts of money."
Pictured left to right;Chief Constable Giles York, Special Constable Matt West, Community Safety Sergeant John Steven & Assistant Chief Constable Laurence Taylor.
Other Useful Resources
The police and the security and intelligence agencies depend on information from you. Be our eyes and ears and help keep yourself, your family and your local community safe by looking out for suspicious activity and reporting it to the police, in confidence.
You may see or hear something that could be that vital piece of information needed to stop a terrorist attack.
Although terrorism is rare in the UK, recent events clearly demonstrate that an attack could happen at any time or place without warning. The current threat to the UK stands at SEVERE which means an attack is highly likely.
By working together with the police, staying alert and thinking about your safety and security at home or work or when you are out and about, you can make it harder for terrorists to plan or carry out an attack.
What can I do?
If you have any information about suspicious activity or behaviour, you can report it in confidence, either by calling the police or making an online report. Visit https://act.campaign.gov.uk/ for further information.
Save the date; Eastbourne 999 Weekend 2017
Our current priorities for 2017-20
Vulnerable victims of fraud and rogue trading associated with Serious Organised Crime Serious Organised Crime: Cyber crime Vulnerable Young People being exploited and recruited by Organised Crime Groups Serious Organised Crime: Modern Slavery
Contact Us:
01323 466549 (Contact us by telephone for secure encrypted email details)
The Safer Hastings Partnership (SHP) continues to develop a range of initiatives, and fosters good relations between the constituent partner agencies set up to tackle crime, disorder and fear. 
