Key Themes

Introduction

Children and young people

Healthier Communities and Older People

Economic Development and Enterprise

Safer and Stronger Communities

The overall aim of this theme is to create a safer and stronger county and increase residents’ engagement in their local communities. One key element of this will be ‘narrowing the gap’ between the more deprived areas and the rest of the county. The outcomes included in this theme reflect ongoing work being carried out by the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships, parish and district councils and voluntary and community organisations.

The main outcomes we want to achieve are to:

• Reduce crime, the harm caused by illegal drugs/alcohol, reassure the public and reduce the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour
• Empower local people to have a greater voice and influence over local decision making and the delivery of services
• Improve housing conditions within the most deprived wards as part of an overall housing strategy, and
• To have cleaner, greener and safer public spaces.

Focus on...

Tackling Domestic Violence

East Sussex Police - Domestic Violence Enforcement Campaign

Sadly, domestic violence is a problem all year round. Statistics show that one in four families experience domestic violence and over 6,500 domestic violence incidents were reported to police in East Sussex last year. However, the stresses of Christmas and the fact that more alcohol is around, often means that a higher number of domestic violence incidents are reported over the festive period.

To tackle this, police in East Sussex launched a domestic violence enforcement campaign from Friday December 14th to Sunday January 6th. Working with partners, the aim of the campaign was to enhance the police response and subsequent investigation of domestic violence incidents in East Sussex over the Christmas period. Two extra cars - dedicated to dealing with domestic violence issues were out on patrol every day, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day. Statistics show that the majority of domestic violence incidents occur 5pm and 1pm. The additional patrols were therefore deployed between these times.

Each car had 2 officers, one of whom was equipped with a video 'head cam' - to help secure vital evidence when the officers attended an incident.
Incidents of domestic violence were robustly dealt with and victims will receive ongoing support from the time of reporting the incident right through to the court process and beyond. The message of the enforcement campaign was clear - offenders will be prosecuted and every effort will be made to provide practical support for the victim.

Police Community Support Officers also backed the domestic violence campaign by distributing leaflets over the festive period which are packed with useful advice and contact numbers.

Detective Inspector Fran Mitchell, who leads on Domestic Violence for East Sussex Division, said: "This campaign has been a real success. The additional Home Office funding has enabled us to provide an enhanced service to victims of Domestic Violence across East Sussex .

We dealt with a high volume of DV incidents, which included 118 crimes and resulted in 87 arrests. The majority of these have been, and will continue to be, thoroughly investigated by East Sussex Detectives, with a view to prosecuting those responsible. Other agencies have supported the campaign by offering 'on demand' support for victims across the festive period, in terms of emergency housing, free legal advice and personal support and advice in a time of crisis. These included East Sussex County Council, CRI and Refuge.

This has been a team effort which has provided a package of practical help to victims and, through our intervention, has stopped the violence in its tracks for victims and their families. This will continue beyond the campaign end date. Sussex Police will continue to take domestic violence very seriously and will take a robust approach to dealing with offenders who commit domestic violence."

Jacquie Ballard, domestic violence co-ordinator for East Sussex County Council, said: "ESCC recognise that domestic violence is a priority issue within all our various communities. We were very pleased to be working in close partnership with Sussex Police and to have offered extra support to victims of domestic violence over this Christmas period."