St Leonards crime hotspots are targets of new funding

The money is part of the government’s £25 million Safer Streets Fund, which will see Hastings receive £473,396. Eastbourne will also receive a further £419,970 to tackle crime in Devonshire Place.

Lower St Leonards and Warrior Square have been found to be in the highest ten per cent of deprivation, leading to a higher-than-average rate of acquisitive crime, which includes shoplifting, theft and burglary.

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said the extra funding will be aimed at improving security in areas through the installation of extra CCTV cameras, increased street lighting, and locked gates around alleyways which are used for drug dealing and by repeat offenders.

Mrs Bourne said she was ‘delighted’ both Hastings and Eastbourne had received funding, adding: “We worked hard to get this funding. People want to feel safe where they live, but they also want to feel safe where they work and shop.

“This funding will help the area improve, and help residents to feel safe.”

The funding, which Mrs Bourne hopes will be paid out soon, will also be used to train community wardens, deliver local crime prevention advice to residents and establish Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

The money will also be used to help businesses secure membership of a shopwatch and barwatch scheme, which is being extended from Hastings thanks to this new funding.

John Bownas, manager of the Business Crime Reduction Partnership overseeing the scheme, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be able to use this funding to bring the St Leonards business community together in the fight against retail crime.

“At a time when all of the shops on our high streets are struggling to recover from the Covid lockdown it’s great news that we can provide St Leonards with the tools they need to cut down on shop theft and other criminal behaviour.

“By extending our radio network and the reach of our intelligence database, plus installing community-monitored CCTV, we can help businesses to protect themselves and make the town a safer place.

“As a membership scheme, Shopwatch’s strength lies in the number of businesses we have involved. By spreading the word further about known offenders we will gradually make it impossible for them to enter shops in Hastings without being recognised.”

Police and Crime Commissioners were invited to bid for a share of the £25 million Safer Streets Fund in January, with each project eligible for a grant of up to £550,000.

Bids were evaluated against a set criteria and bidders were asked to outline a plan to reduce crime within a local crime hotspot, demonstrating value for money, evidence of community engagement and long-term sustainability.

Hastings and Rye MP Sally-Ann Hart also welcomed the funding, and said: “This Government was elected on the promise to crack down on crime and make our streets safer, and the nearly £900,000 announced today for Sussex Police will help deliver that.

“This new money will help fund proven crime cutting measures, such as increased street lighting, CCTV and locked gates around alleyways – and I am confident that this will prevent and reduce crimes such as burglary and robbery in the areas that need it most.

“I want people everywhere to feel secure in their communities and be able to live their lives free from the threat of crime, and this extra funding for Sussex Police will help make that possible.”

Cllr Paul Barnett, Hastings Borough Council lead councillor for Urban Environment and Community Safety said: “I am delighted that Hastings has been allocated this significant sum to help us tackle street crime, which is a real problem for many of our residents and businesses.

“We have all seen how appalling local drug criminals are supported by theft, both of personal items and identity theft. Our Safer Hastings Partnership will be working hard with residents and business owners to deliver real improvements across the borough.

“This funding will enable us to improve the security of more vulnerable properties and local businesses.

“We want to see as a result a significant decrease in acquisitive crime and for residents to feel safer on their streets. We can all play our part too by securing property better, and this funding will include awareness support for measures we should all be taking to help make Hastings safer.”

Cllr Rob Lee, Hastings Conservative leader, added: “The money will largely be spent on practical things such as improved street lighting and hopefully improving CCTV coverage in the town centre,

“I hope this new funding can secure the future of Hastings town centre CCTV and keep us all safer and that businesses in town will see the benefit of the police being more able to tackle anti-social behaviour.”