Horam & Vines Cross

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH: Three elderly people have been targeted in Eastbourne and Hailsham recently by a man claiming to be from a water company. The man knocked on their door stating he needed to check their water and waste pipes. He walked into the house without being invited in and left with the victim's handbags. The description of the man is white, about 50, clean shaven with a northern accent. He was wearing a quilted blue jacket and a black baseball cap.

Sussex Police are appealing to the public for help and for any information relating to these offences involving distraction and burglary. We would like to ask members of the community to keep an eye on their vulnerable neighbours and to report any activity which they consider may be out of the ordinary by phoning the police. Please be alert to this suspicious behaviour which is a common method for thieves to gain entry into people’s homes. They use all kind of reasons to be let in, only to steal from the unsuspecting residents when the resident’s attention is elsewhere.

Anyone who knocks on the door should be able to show identification. If they can’t, don’t let them in. If you don’t know the person outside answer with a chain on the door or speak to them through a letter box. Anyone genuine will wait outside while you make checks.

Urgent Message from Neighbourhood Watch (Administrator, Sussex). This warning message is being sent to all residents on the Neighbourhood Alert system in Sussex. We have been advised that more than 20 Patcham residents have within the last few days received telephone calls from callers purporting to be from HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) telling them that they owe tax in the region of £3,000. Their call is aggressive, threatening, urgent and sounds authentic. They suggest meeting at a Brighton location where the tax owed is handed over. Don’t be fooled. These calls are from scammers. If you receive one of these calls, please immediately telephone 101 or report it to the police through their website https://www.sussex.police.uk/contact-us/report-online/ Please share this information.

FARM WATCH: Coordinator’s Update. The number of animals reported as loose on the highway this week is up by almost 50 percent to 29. With recent heavy rain, the ground is very soft and so animals pushing against posts can easily knock them over. Please carry on checking your roadside hedges and fences daily, this includes those where a railway lines passes by.

POACHING: Poaching, in its various forms, is dealt with under several pieces of legislation, some of it very old but still in use today. Over the years, the act of poaching has changed and it is no longer one man and his dog shooting a rabbit or pheasant for dinner. Instead, poachers now tend to go out in numbers, often driving 4x4 vehicles, with several dogs and weapons. More often than not they show little regard for the countryside, wildlife or farmers land that they damage. It is rare that animals are poached merely for food and it is more often the case that animals such as badgers are taken to kill for the pleasure of those poaching. Poachers often pursue animals such as rabbits and species that fall under the heading of ‘Game’ and deer. Under the Game Act 1831, game refers to hares, pheasants, partridges, grouse, heath or moor game and black game. Under the Night Poaching Act 1828 it includes the above and bustards. Specific provisions relating to the poaching of deer, fish and game can now also be catered for under the Hunting Act 2004 legislation. Note: The criminal use of firearms in poaching and illegal hunting is also dealt with by the Firearms Act 1968 and could attract armed response from the police and severe penalties from the courts.

OPERATION BLITZ: We’re trying to get more residents to sign-up to our Operation Blitz scheme in Wealden. We currently have just over 700 members who receive a weekly email notifying them of extra police patrols in their area which are targeting antisocial behaviour (normally on a Friday and Saturday evening). The message includes a mobile number of one of the officers on patrol, so the team can be contacted directly. So, if you’re getting fed up with rowdy behaviour, underage drinking or intimidating groups, consider joining Operation Blitz. If you’d like to join, send an email to [email protected]