Councillors welcome Community Safety Partnership progress
A Cabinet councillor has highlighted the 'important role' of the local Community Safety Partnership in ensuring Eastbourne remains a safe place to live and work.
Its work focuses on tackling crime, reducing anti‑social behaviour and supporting vulnerable people through coordinated action.
Councillor Kathy Ballard, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, said: "Our Community Safety Partnership plays an important role in ensuring Eastbourne remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
"The progress reported today demonstrates the strength of collaboration across our town - from tackling serious violence and anti‑social behaviour to supporting victims of domestic abuse, improving public safety in busy areas, and working closely with young people.
"I want to thank all our partners for the commitment and hard work they have shown throughout a year marked by rising need and complex challenges."
Recent figures show that Eastbourne continues to perform strongly compared with similar areas across the country, with one of the lowest Crime Severity Scores within its benchmarking group of 14 local authorities.
Key activities undertaken by the partnership over the last 12 months include:
- Delivering Safer Streets initiatives in key areas of the town, including enhanced police patrols, upgraded CCTV capability, business engagement and targeted action against persistent offenders.
- Reducing serious violence and knife crime through intelligence‑led patrols, knife sweeps, test purchasing, youth outreach and the introduction of new safety equipment and town‑centre radio networks.
- Supporting young people through diversion programmes, including youth clubs, activity sessions, and positive engagement designed to reduce risks linked to exploitation, violence or offending.
- Tackling anti‑social behaviour and street community issues via coordinated multi‑agency operations, combining enforcement with support through the Rough Sleeper Initiative.
- Helping retailers and hospitality venues stay safe, for example through upgraded communications systems, shared intelligence on prolific offenders and support for business‑crime reduction work.
- Improving road safety, including enforcement activity on anti‑social driving, use of Public Spaces Protection Orders and support for community Speedwatch initiatives.
Cabinet members also welcomed the partnership's work in responding to rising tensions linked to national and global events. The CSP coordinated reassurance patrols, community engagement and liaison with local faith and neighbourhood groups to maintain cohesion.
Councillor Ballard added: "At a time when communities across the country have faced moments of real pressure, our CSP has stepped up and is making a positive difference across Eastbourne."
The Eastbourne and Lewes CSP is funded through an annual grant awarded by the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner.
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