"We have been very busy throughout the last month, trying to make the Christmas holiday period as safe and peaceful as possible for Hastings residents and visitors.
The increased numbers of shoppers in the town centres provides a target for thieves, the late night party season sees many people drink to excess and the seasonal fatigue leads to increased numbers of domestic disputes.
In response to this, toget
her with our colleagues in the Safer Hastings Partnership, we are providing a range of initiatives to minimise these problems -
Operation Cranberry is an initiative across East Sussex, that provides an enhanced response and investigation capability for incidents of domestic violence.
In Hastings we have been resourcing a dedicated patrol every evening, with each officer wearing personal video recording equipment to make sure that we can promptly attend and investigate these offences.
We consider reducing domestic violence as particularly important given the harm that it causes to families in the town, which is why we are also supporting the "Sanctuary Scheme" that Hastings Borough Council, Housing Department have launched recently. This provides security measures to make the homes of victims safer and more effective police response to incidents.
You will have seen increased numbers of Officers, PCSO's and Borough Wardens on patrol in the town centre in recent weeks, as part of Operation Shepherd which sought to deter purse and bag thieves during the busy shopping period and making you feel safer.
What you may not have noticed were the plain clothed patrols that also supplement them, making sure that criminals cannot feel safe on our streets. So far we have only recorded seven such offences in December, mainly where elderly shoppers have been targeted and there will be provision of more free purse and bag alarms in the New Year to help reduce this further.
The policing of the night-time economy in the town centre has been fortified with additional officers over the festive period, to cope with those people who drink to excess and become disorderly.
We will continue with our "low-tolerance" approach to bad behaviour, which has seen a 25% reduction in public place injury assaults this year. We continue to work closely with licensees, door supervisors and other partners to make Hastings a safe place to visit in the evening.
Lastly on the alcohol-theme, there have been enhanced levels of drink-drive and speed checks across the town to keep our roads safe over the festive period.
This will be my final update to you as the Hastings District Commander, as I will be moving on promotion to a new position at our Lewes Headquarters in January 2008.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the residents, colleagues in partner agencies and elected members for their help and support during my time here. Hastings is a challenging town to police, but we have shown over the last year that crime and disorder can be reduced by my officers and staff working with you (over 2000 fewer crimes reported in the last 12 months).
I will be succeeded by Chief Inspector Andy Gooch, who is currently working as one of the Detective Chief Inspectors on East Sussex Division. I am confident that Hastings Police will continue to develop under his command.
Happy New Year"
Tony Blaker
Hastings District Commander
