Half Marathon Cancelled, and Roadworks Extended.

Sadly, the Hastings Half Marathon 2025 has been cancelled (facebook). Apparently the man who is in custody is being held under the Mental Health Act.

And the roadworks at the seafront have been extended by another week, life, eh...

St Leonards Incident, Police Update.

The incident concerning the 'Bomb Disposal Squad' at the seafront in the St Leonards area near West Marina Gardens (blog) continues into the weekend. The Police confirm a 28 year old man is in custody and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team are "conducting a thorough search of the property for any further hazardous material." Also, that "the chemicals are not part of any large scale drugs production and the incident is not believed to be terror-related." (Sussex Police) 73 temporarily displaced neighbours are being provided shelter at the Royal Victoria Hotel (blog), arranged by Hastings Borough Council, and Police are mindful of trying to sort this out before the Hastings Half Marathon tomorrow/Sunday (blog). The seafront and road remain blocked, consequently today's/Saturday's Park Run has been cancelled (website).

Good News: Supriyaa Found.

The good news is that Sussex Police have reported on facebook that they are pleased to announce that Supriyaa has been safely found after their appeal (blog). They thank the public for their support and help in finding her. I like good news, good stuff!

15 Years Old Supriyaa Missing From Hastings

Police Message from facebook, "We’re concerned for Supriyaa, 15, who is missing from Hastings. She was last seen in the Mountfield area at around 8.50pm on Wednesday (4 September). Supriyaa, who has links to Shoreham, is 5’5”, has long dark wavy hair, green eyes. She is believed to be wearing black joggers, a black hoodie and black, red and white trainers. If you see her, or have any information on her whereabouts, call 999 immediately quoting serial 1411 of 04/09."

Hastings: Updates, Good & Bad News, What's Going On?

I was out earlier, walking along the seafront, and saw this quite lovely view of the Channel and a cafe, Goat Ledge (website), which I really do have to write a blog about soon. It reminded me of the Hastings Pride Festival and Parade on Sunday (blog). I found out earlier that our new Member of Parliament Helena Dollimore M.P. was the first ever Hastings M.P. to speak at Hastings Pride (twitter, wants to be called X); make your own assumptions about the previous 2.

I did wonder earlier this month (blog) whether the Hotel plan for Cornwallis Street Car park would be going ahead, well, something is definitely happening there! Let's wait and see...

Whilst in the area, surprise surprise, yet another water leak, this time in St Andrews Square, and it has been dug up since before the weekend. I spoke to a Highways official this morning, and yes, he said, there is a water leak... Waiting for it to be fixed, and remember all these leaks when you are paying your water rates/bill, and a wonderful visitor to the area decided to park, basically, where she shouldn't, thankfully she left before anyone turned up to work on it, laugh stifled!

There will be an exercise launch of the Hastings Lifeboat this evening at 18.00, recovery planned for 19.00 (facebook), worth a visit if you haven't seen a launch yet!

Do you recognise this man? Seen here entering the Dolphin Inn, Rock a Nore Road, early yesterday morning after breaking in through a window, after which he stole a number of charity boxes, obviously he has no conscience or scruples! If you do know the thief/criminal please get in touch with the Police (website), or call 101 or 01273 475432 for Hastings Police.

He rode off on a cycle, tats on arms/hands, and generously left his fingerprints behind...

Stay Safe!

We're all aware of violence around the country as right-wing thugs have been visiting local communities, attacking businesses and houses of worship, looting, burning cars, and attacking the Police who are there to defend us. Many businesses and health centres have closed early, and many people have been allowed to stay away from work. The Pram Race in the Old Town is still going ahead this evening, as I write, so the road along the seafront will be closed for most of the rest of the day, and some of the smaller H.O.T. Carnival events are not going ahead. The Police and local politicians have urged us to not get involved with any counter demonstrations, as this will just make the work of the Police harder, and they assure us that sufficient Police resources are available, as are prison cells for anyone arrested (Sussex Police Statement), respect. Updates can be found at the Argus website. Stay safe folks...

Alexandra Park Vandalism & Wildlife Crime!

Sad and angry to hear of youths in Alexandra Park killing parent ducks using catapults and leaving ducklings orphans (Make Alexandra Park Hastings safe facebook page), posts on that page share information, and the Police are now well aware, indeed, Bexhill & Hastings Wildlife Rescue had to be called to rescue ducklings rather than their being left to perish. Park Rangers don't appear to be capable of preventing these crimes, but if you do witness such crimes please report them the Police (website).

Stay safe folks!

Police Property Act Fund (PPAF)

OK, it's only a small image, but it's the one used in East Sussex Council's February Funding E-Newsletter for promoting the Police Property Act Fund, relevance? No idea, but I think it's a stock image they have of the Stacey Marie, and regular readers and friends will be aware of my interest in The Stacey Marie, RX134 (Facebook Page), and I like to share any images that authorities, journalists, whoever, of her.

So, what is it? The PPAF? I'll cut & paste from the Sussex Police website:

"The Police Property Act Fund is made up of monies received by the police from the sale of found property and from property confiscated by order of court and then sold. The main aim of the fund is to support local projects undertaken by voluntary/charitable organisations that solely benefit the communities of Sussex."

They will consider applications submitted by voluntary and charitable organisations and community groups within Sussex. The following criteria must be met in order for a successful application to be made.

• Grants of up to £500 can be applied for.
• Each application needs to be supported by a Sussex Police officer or member of staff who has knowledge of the charity or organisation.
• An application will not be considered if a previous donation from us has been made within the past three years.
• The decision to make a donation and the amount donated will depend on the number of applications being considered at any one time and the amount that is available in the fund at the time of the application.

Should you know of any group or charity that may qualify, or wish to apply, you/they need to get in touch via this contact form. Good luck!

Contacting the Police

Hastings Police have just posted on twitter a reminder of how to get in touch with them; you can get in touch for non-emergency crime reporting online at the Sussex Police website, or telephone 101, or in emergencies always call 999.

Remember to stay safe folks!

Police Incident Early Doors

This was before 06.00 yesterday (wet at the same time today!), 2 police cars, and later a van (presumably to assist the removal of an individual who was shouting and screaming), the man was making a racket and disturbing people locally...

The officers involved appeared to handle the situation very professionally, nice one!

Congratulations to HBC, but I remain concerned...

Well, the Travellers moved on yesterday, and Hastings Borough Council (facebook) have thanked Sussex Police and East Sussex County Council for their help in the matter. The concern has been eased in this town, but it is really a problem just passed along the line to the next area, there is still a potential 'disaster waiting to happen' (paper) but, hopefully, not in Hastings...

Many thanks to the HBC cleaners who tidied up the Rock-a-Nore car park.

Oh yes, my daily exercise programme (first example I wrote about was in a blog 2 months ago! Where have those 2 months gone?), I'm averaging about 8 miles a day now, and many thanks to whoever used a strimmer to cut back this extension of Barley Lane, makes it much easier, presuming Hastings Country Park/Council, cheers!

Sussex Police Recruiting

Sussex Police launched a recruitment campaign earlier this week, focusing on non-degree holders for their Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA), a 3 year programme with "on and off the job learning." If you are interested in taking up this challenging career, whilst studying for a degree you would be paid as a police officer with no tutorial fees (website), applications should be made by Monday the 23rd of March, when recruitment closes. Apply at the website, and respect to you!

Hastings Labour Party firebombed by Right-Wing Terrorists?!?

The Hastings Labour Party office in Bohemia Road was set on fire on Tuesday evening, and with Labour Party members on the premises, but what were the circumstances, Right-Wing Terrorism?!? See the BBC website (many thanks for photograph). I am very sure Sussex Police (website) would welcome any information please, many thanks.

A few days later

The Police have since confirmed the "fire was started deliberately" (Argus).

Update re Channel Crossing: Sussex Police request assistance.

An update from yesterday, apparently there were 2 rigid inflatable boats that came over from France early yesterday morning, one landed near Winchelsea, and the other (see above image) landed close to Hastings. 17 men, women and children have been detained by the UK Border Force, and the police believe a few that landed at Winchelsea "disappeared into the surrounding countryside."

Hastings Police: "Two of those detained required medical treatment and we are concerned that one or two others still outstanding may also be in need of assistance.

"We would ask anyone seeing strangers in the area who may appear cold, wet, hungry, disorientated, or in need of medical aid, to report it by calling immediately on 999, quoting serial 276 of 3/10." (Sussex Police website). 



Congratulations to the Police and Council!

Congratulations to Sussex Police and the Council for moving them on from the Stade within 20 hours, and the police were polite, speedy and efficient, nice one!

Warning from East Sussex County Council!

I nearly forgot to share this, I saw this online from the Council yesterday: 

East Sussex Trading Standards issued the warning following a spate of cold callers offering house improvements or gardening services. One resident was quoted more than £10,000 for replacement garage doors but was astute enough to turn down the offer. Other services being offered include jet washing of driveways, removing moss from roofs, driveway resurfacing and offers to repair allegedly loose or damaged roof tiles.

Matthew Knowles, East Sussex County Council Trading Standards enforcement and investigations manager, said: “Bogus callers prey on the vulnerable, pressuring them into paying for work they don’t need for over-inflated prices. Our advice to people would be to never agree on the doorstep to have work carried out and don’t be tricked into thinking you’re getting a good deal in return for payment in cash or an immediate start to work. Always use a reputable trader, preferable someone who has been recommended by a friend or relative, take your time before making a decision and get several written quotes before agreeing to have any work done.”

Anyone who has concerns about doorstep callers is urged to call the police on 101, or the Citizen’s Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.

You can download the the warning here https://eastsussex-newsroom.prgloo.com/resources/trading-standards-doorstep-sticker 

Extra Cash To Fix Potholes!?!

So, the Government is supplying an extra £100 million to local councils to fix potholes (BBC), of which East Sussex County Council is due to get just under £2 million... This is on top of pay rises for nurses, firemen, and other public service workers (though still below inflation following years of wage stagnation), and the local Police & Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne (and other PCCs), being allowed to increase the 'police precept' part of council tax by 7.8%!

Do I detect a temporary end to 'austerity' and a general election in the offing?!?

It's snowing, so...

Freezing temperature and snow, so please take advice from Sussex Police if you have to drive today, go to their website. 

I cannot get through to the East Sussex County Council website to see about school closures, but  please have a go yourself, good luck! @ www.eastsussex.gov.uk 

Sussex Police Recruiting for 3 Weeks.

Sussex Police today opened recruitment for police officers, and which remains open for the next three weeks to the 5th of March 2018. "Policing to a high standard means recruiting from all the communities we serve. From day one you’ll be helping make Sussex safer... Stronger together." 

If you wish to apply to join Sussex Police, or find out more, go to their website.

Update on George Street Armed Robbery!

From the Sussex Police website: they are "appealing for witnesses after the owner of a convenience store in George Street, Hastings, was threatened with a gun as two men in balaclavas stole cash and cigarettes from behind the counter."

"The robbery took place at the Premier Store at around 7.10am on Tuesday (6 February)" while the manager and a male assistant were preparing for the day. "Neither was hurt."

"The suspects were both black, wearing black balaclavas, dark jackets and grey jogging bottoms. One was 5' 10", of stocky build and aged 25-30. He carried what appeared to be a black hand gun, although this was not fired. The second suspect was younger, in his late teens or early 20s, 5' 9"-6'.

After leaving the store both robbers made off down an alleyway towards West Street.

Anyone who saw the incident or who may have other information is asked to contact police online or phone 101, quoting serial 178 of 06/02. Alternatively, please visit the Crimestopperswebsite or contact the independent charity anonymously on 0800 555 111."