Police

2210512020

Sussex Country Watch Newsletter Due to the work restrictions imposed on me by the Coronavirus outbreak, I have been unable to gain access to all the information I required to put together the usual Newsletter. The good news is that things are almost back to normal.

Reported loose animals on the highway this week is 6. This was made up by 5 Horses and 1 Sheep.

Please check your boundary hedges and fences including Railways every day.

Safety around livestock Our Rural Teams have received reports from farmers expressing concern about the safety of some people trespassing into livestock fields.

Whilst trespass should not in any case be occurring, and trespass into any field could cause stress to animals or damage crops, trespass into a livestock field can be dangerous.

Recent reports of people found among cows in calf and cows together with their calves are particularly worrying. All animals, like humans, will be protective of their young and a herd of cows are certainly capable of natural behaviour that will frighten and possibly injure the trespasser That risk is apparently at times being taken just for a social media photo, with no regard for animal welfare or personal safety. The farmers reporting their concerns do also welcome people to enjoy the great views that they work among, of the countryside that they farm and animals they care for and are skilled in handling. There is no need for anyone to trespass or put themselves in danger to enjoy the farming environment or capture a memory. The quiet-moment pauses, and photo-opportunities can all happen in safe locations along our great network of Public Rights of Way — footpaths for foot traffic, bridleways to include cyclists and horse riders.

Keyless Car Theft Alert We have recently seen an increase in theft of motor vehicle offences with vehicles being taken without the offenders having the original keys. This is believed to be as a result of equipment being used to amplify your key's signal. There are some measures you can take to prevent this type of theft; Secure your vehicle in a garage where possible Use physical barriers to block your vehicle in. Secure your keys in a secure location within your home.

Leaving your keys at the rear of a property, furthest from the vehicle location, is recommended.

Consider securing keys in a key signal blocking case. These can be purchased online. Alternatively, a tin or aluminium case should be used.

Consider the use of a steering lock or car cover. This will significantly slow down or deter an offender. As always, if you see any suspicious activity then please do call it in via 101 and should you suspect a crime is in progress or that is imminent, call 999.

If you have any evidence, no matter how small, on any of the crimes listed below, please call it in on the non-emergency number 101 and quote the reference number and date as given to the left of the report, of for that matter any other crime.

Crime and incident update Monday 11th May 2020 to Sunday 17th May 2020

Adur & Worthing

0732 17/05/2020 Bags containing crab shells and legs and remains of a dead swan were found discarded in a layby off the Bostal Road between Steyning and Sompting. If you witnessed this worrying fly tipping incident please contact Sussex Police.

Arun 0173 15/05/2020 Overnight a farm workshop in Ford Lane Arundel were forcefully entered and a number of tools have been stolen, value is in excess of £10,000.00.

Brighton & Nothing reported Chichester Nothing reported Crawley Nothing reported Nothing reported Gatwick Nothing reported Nothing reported Horsham

1060 11/05/2020 WSF&R attended a machinery fire in a field in Blackmans Lane Pulborough. 0174 15/05/2020 At approximately midnight CCTV captured a white Transit van enter promises in Storrington Road, Thakeham, Pulborough. The intruders them broke into a building and stole a Kabuto sit-on mower. 0269 15/05/2020 At around midnight on 14th to 15th May locks to a storage building were broken and several items stolen including a Kubota ride-on mower, a Bush fridge/freezer, a Bush washing machine, and smaller items. A white panel van was seen in the area at the time. 0546 16/05/2020 Police received several reports of suspicious activity involving a white panel Van and a blue Subaru car, during the daytime of 14th and 15th May. Occupants were seen on private farmland in several areas nearby. 0121 13/05/2020 A farm off Common Lane Ditchling has been entered via the back fields, an outbuilding was forcefully entered and batteries for electric drills were stolen.

Mid Sussex 1459 13/05/2020 WSF&R attended a field fire off Devils Dyke Road .

Rother 0969 11/05/2020 A large amount of builders rubbish was dumped in the car park of St Giles Church . 0265 13/05/2020 Equestrian equipment, mainly saddles and bridles valued at over £10,000 were stolen overnight from premises in . 0276 13/05/2020 A farm in Redlands Lane, , Robertsbridge was broken into and approximately £20,000.00 worth of horse saddles were stolen. 0292 13/05/2020 An unsuccessful attempt was made to break into an outbuilding on a farm in . The dogs started barking and it is believed this may have scared the intruders off. The owners went out but other than evidence of a break-in, all was clear. 0524 13/05/2020 A male was seen filming the gate locks to a field in , Rye including the sheep in it. 0553 13/05/2020 A land owner in Stubb Lane, Brede, Rye has had a field gate damaged.

0718 13/05/2020 An outbuilding to a property in Road, Pett, has been broken into and a quantity of tool, to the value of £2,000.00 have been stolen, these include a MSIOO Chainsaw, a Stihl 241 Chainsaw, a Stihl HL75 Hedge trimmer, a Stihl Leaf blower, a Makita Drill, a full can of petrol and a childs paddling pool.

0228 14/05/2020 A kennel in Brightling was broken into and 3 English Springer Spaniel dogs, valued at £7,000.00 were stolen. 0584 14/05/2020 A barn in Brightling Road Robertsbridge was forcefully entered, nothing seems to have been stolen. 0877 15/05/2020 A farm in Road, Rye was entered and an attempt to break into a storage container was unsuccessful. 0262 17/05/2020 Two 7 year old, Black Bitch Spaniels, have been stolen overnight from their kennels in Ewehurst Green, Robertsbridge. 0389 17/05/2020 A farm in Readers Lane Iden, Rye, has been broken into and a 16' Ifor Williams flatbed trailer was been stolen. 0528 17/05/2020 Five males are reported to have broken a padlock to gain access to a field in Beach, it is believed that they were Hare Coursing

Wealden Nothing reported

Help us keep Sussex safe If you saw or heard anything, or have any information about any incident in this message please contact us online, email us at [email protected] or call 101, quoting the reference number provided Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.orq or their dedicated rural crime reporting number 0800 783 0137 or online here

Wildlife Officers can be contacted via local email addresses Please only contact your local Wildlife Officers for any general enquiries or questions, not to report a crime. Report all crimes and incidents to Sussex Police online, email us at [email protected] or call 101.

Adur and Worthing: [email protected] Arun: [email protected] : [email protected] Chichester: [email protected] Crawley. [email protected] Eastbourne: [email protected] Hastings: hastinqsnsussex.pnn.police.uk Horsham. [email protected] Lewes: [email protected] Mid Sussex: [email protected] Rother: [email protected] Wealden. [email protected]

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Phillip Ball (Police, Volunteer co-ordinator Countrywatch, Sussex