Police ready forevery situation

The Force was responding to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary’s Strategic Policing Requirement inspection report.

Sussex Police has teamed up with the Surrey force to form one of the first joint cyber-crime units in the country.

Deputy Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney said: “We are prepared and ready to keep our wider communities safe.

“Modern day policing presents a number of threats, particularly in areas such as cyber and organised crime. Sussex Police takes these threats seriously and is doing everything it can to meet these challenges now and in the future to protect the community.

“We have listened to HMIC and continually look to develop new approaches to meet these challenges.

“Just this week, as part of our ongoing collaborative approach with Surrey Police, we launched a new joint cyber crime unit - one of the first in the country - to help combat online crime.

“This cyber crime unit was partly funded through investment secured by the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne, following a rise in the police precept for 2014/15.

“Criminality is adapting to exploit the digital environment and together with Surrey Police we are increasing our ability to deal with this type of crime.

“Our aim to work collaboratively where possible to increase our effectiveness and efficiency and keep people safe.”

Sussex and Surrey Police work closely together to respond to the Strategic Policing Requirement; the Home Secretary’s assessment of national threats that require a range of agencies to work together. Sussex is experienced in policing public order and public protest events and works closely with the multi-agency Local Resilience Forum, rehearsing plans to deal with civil emergencies.

Sussex Police is pleased that the HMIC has recognised its level of preparedness for CBRN (Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) incidents and together with the counter terrorism network, its contribution to the national effort to combat terrorism.

DCC Pinkney said: “Sussex Police works with other forces across the South East to develop our capacity and capability to tackle organised criminality. HMIC’s report demonstrates that Sussex police are in a good position to protect communities from the greatest harm. We recognise there are always areas where we can improve and welcome the report, which will help us develop ways to further protect the public.”