Police aim to put victimsfirst and reduce crime asthey unveil new priorities

The plan sets out aims and objectives for the next 12 months.

Reported crime in Sussex has fallen by 37 percent since 2007 with an estimated 50,000 fewer victims but police are not intending to rest on their laurels.

Police also have their sights set on cyber-crime and are working with the Surrey force to establish a cyber-crime prevention and awareness strategy as well as setting up a dedicated unit capable of investigating and prosecuting complex cyber-crime.

The Sussex Police mission statement says it aims to ‘reduce recorded crimes per one thousand of the population’.

It also aims to ‘support improvement in victim satisfaction with their overall experience of the criminal justice system’.

Other priorities outlined in the plan include to increase the reporting of domestic abuse and violence, anti-social behaviour and hate crime.

The report says that improvements in equipment and technology will see officers needing to spend less time at police stations, freeing them up to fight crime out in the community.

The report praises the work of Special Constables, trained volunteers who assist police. Sussex is one of only three forces to have Special Constables trained to exacting national standards.

Temporary Chief Constable Giles York said: “I believe Sussex has one of the finest forces in the country.

“We are close to completing a substantial modernisation programme which will allow us to deliver better services and achieve necessary financial savings.

“The challenges for the years ahead are clear: to continue to fight crime, keep people safe and further professionalise our service.

“The Police and Crime Commissioner has , quite rightly, challenged us to increase reporting across a range of crime types; domestic abuse, serious sexual offences, hate crime and anti-social behaviour. There are still areas where we do not have the full picture where victims and witnesses do not report to us. One underlying issue is a lack of confidence in the criminal justice system.

“We accept the challenges and we will deliver. The public deserves nothing less.”