17 arrests in police crackdown

Detective Inspector Mark Link (right) was speaking after the end of Operation Resolve, a two week joint initiative between CID and the Neighbourhood Policing Teams in Bexhill, Battle and Rye which resulted in 26 arrests.

Detective Inspector Ling said: "In Operation Resolve we were targeting and focussing on people who are committing crimes across Bexhill, Battle and Rye.

"It involved uniformed officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Teams and CID officers and in total we arrested 26 people.This included 17 in Bexhill and nine across Battle and Rye.

"All these arrests were in relation to outstanding crimes people were suspected of having committed.

"As a result, 12 people have been charged with a variety of offences from burglary non-dwelling to common assault and minor damage - it covers a whole spectrum of offences.

"Three people have been cautioned and six have been released on bail pending further inquiries. In total, 13 offences were detected.

"We are using Operation Resolve as a starting block. We will try to keep the impetus going, especially in the Battle and Rye area.

"We just want to send out the message to criminals - you are not going to be able to escape us because we are going to get you!

"We will be actively targeting these people who are committing most crime in the area.

"Through Operation Resolve we put the necessary resources into getting all our targets arrested. We had four CID officers working as two interview teams. While the Neighbourhood Policing Teams were out arresting people, CID were processing them."

Detective Inspector Ling announced when he took up his appointment three weeks ago that he intended improving detection and arrest rates, particularly in Battle and Rye.