Hailsham sees reduction in anti-social behaviour

Sgt Neilan took on the extra neighbourhood policing team sergeant role in July 2020.

He previously worked in enforcement and before that on response in Eastbourne.

He said: “I believe that, as well as lockdown, this is partly down to our operation – Op Empire – to target youth ASB and disorder in Hailsham as well as other local initiatives, which have clearly been beneficial to the community.

“We have also worked closely with youth outreach workers at Hailsham Youth Service on this.

“Not only do we conduct a lot of targeted high visibility patrols, we identify key children causing ASB and intervene, whether by visiting their homes, speaking with parents, getting them on appropriate youth diversion schemes or even pursuing down the criminal justice path where necessary.”

Sgt Neilan is one of 17 extra new neighbourhood policing sergeants making a positive impact on local communities, tackling the issues that concern them most.

Each is providing additional leadership for local frontline neighbourhood teams, which have been boosted in size by an extra 100 PCSOs in the past 18 months.

Sgt Neilan worked with PC Craig Roberts to close down a notorious Hailsham cocaine dealing house and since then the pair have had feedback from the community there saying how quiet, safer and nicer the street had become with less crime and ASB, which was associated with drug dealing.

“I am proud of this as it has improved the lives of numerous people in that street,” said Sgt Neilan.

“It gives me great satisfaction to start a job and see it through to the successful conclusion, knowing the real difference it has made. I previously worked in enforcement and before that on response in Eastbourne. What I like best about neighbourhood policing is that you can make a real positive difference to people’s lives.”

Sussex Police Local Policing lead Assistant Chief Constable Jayne Dando said she was delighted the uplift of 18 neighbourhood policing sergeants was close to completion, allowing police to further strengthen its local policing teams, following the uplift in PCSOs.

An extra six neighbourhood policing sergeants are now established in East Sussex, she added.

“This investment of the 2020 council-tax precept is enabling our sergeants to cover smaller geographic areas, which means their teams can integrate more closely with local communities, tackling the problems that really matter to them,” said Chief Constable Jayne Dando.

“It’s also allowing sergeants to be more proactive, taking on operations and activity targeting issues, such as knife crime, youth-related violence and drug-related crime, resulting in more arrests and seizures.

“Communities are already telling us they feel safer, with reduced anti-social behaviour and disorder, reported in key areas where new sergeants have targeted activity. I feel confident that, as the newer sergeants are established, more communities will experience this closer engagement and support.”

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “I have listened intently to public feedback on local policing and Chief Constable Shiner shares in the determination to bolster neighbourhood policing and provide the visibility residents have asked for.

“I’m so pleased that last year’s precept has funded additional leadership for these teams so that officers will be given clear direction to tackle local issues, using vital community intelligence.

“This further strengthening of our frontline I’m sure is welcome news to all residents and it’s impressive the positive impact that they have made in such a short space of time.”