More police in Sidley and town centre

Operation Quench allows police to put extra dedicated staff into these areas on peak Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

It backs up the dispersal powers recently introduced.

The latest project is funded by Hastings and Rother Police Division and the Safer Rother Partnership.

Inspector Dick Coates said: "This is great news for Bexhill. I am able to put out dedicated officers over and above my normal duty strength to concentrate on violent crime and anti-social behaviour. They will work with our partners in the local Barwatch scheme and do regular pub visits and high profile patrols.

"They will enforce the town centre dispersal order and I hope to see an even bigger drop in our recorded crime.

"I really want to make Bexhill a safe place to live, work and visit and this goes some way to achieve this."

Insp Coates said more police radios would enable officers to stay in touch with local bars and shops.

"This speeds up our response time and gives a feeling of safety to our shop and inn keepers. It is hoped to get more people on the shopwatch and Barwatch scheme in the next few months.

"Sergeant James Scott is running the operation which continues throughout June, July and August.

"Bexhill Police are working hard with our partners and the Safer Rother Partnership on new initiatives and ideas to develop policing in the area and to further reduce crime and the fear of crime."

He added: "I hope the public see this as a positive step and give us there support during this operation. I ask people to phone Police and report any criminal activity and anti-social behaviour however small so we can tackle it head on at an early stage."