POLICE LAUNCH 'BEDROCK' CAMPAIGN

Police in the Lewes area have launched a series of high-profile operations to drive down the number of assaults, cut public disorder and bring more offenders to justice.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Jul 2006, 16:20 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 22:42 BST

Further projects are also being planned to divert young people at risk of being influenced by key trouble-makers, towards activities and spaces where they can be safe and not driven by peer pressure.

Not many people realise that young people feel a far greater fear of assault than any other group (British Crime Survey). Officers will be tasked daily, according to the intelligence and incident information coming in, which means that the local officers will always be hot on the tail of those intent on causing misery.

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Chief Inspector Simon Nelson, Lewes District Commander, said:

"We have given this operation the title Bedrock because it provides a firm base from which we will go on to make the Lewes District an even better place to live.

"All of our agency and local authority partners share a determination to encourage our communities to stand together, inclusive of all age groups.

"I want to hear from the majority of law-abiding young people about what makes them feel unsafe and who is responsible for this. What we need is a sustainable approach, allowing us to positively deal with the yobs and thugs, without demonising a whole section of our community, who often feel safer in groups. We cannot do this without the help and support of local people.

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"We have to be particularly active in disrupting the supply of alcohol to young people, and it is important to recognise that they get it from a variety of places. For instance, most parents would not be aware that around half of young people who have got drunk, took the alcohol from their own home. We fully support the effective management of licensed premises, and a majority of them work closely with us via the Pubwatch groups.

"However, we will identify the weakest links, through test-purchasing and similar tactics, before discussing prosecutions and public exposure with local authority colleagues.

"Bedrock is here to stay and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to deliver the best that neighbourhood policing can offer. The level of assaults continue to fall, but we will never regard any crime level as being acceptable."

"We need your information, and you can pass this to your local team via our non-emergency number 0845 60 70 999 or information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."