Hello

This week, I joined Sussex Police's Rural Crime Team for Operation Barley, a multi-agency initiative led by the Environment Agency, focused on tackling illegal waste crime and fly-tipping across Sussex.

The operation targets offenders carrying waste illegally before it is dumped, helping to prevent environmental damage and reduce the significant clean-up costs often borne by local taxpayers. Alongside Sussex Police and the Environment Agency, partners including the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and Chichester District Council were involved, highlighting the importance of a coordinated approach to tackling this issue.

Fly-tipping and waste crime has a damaging impact on our communities and countryside. In Sussex, the most common forms of illegal waste involve household rubbish, construction materials and discarded white goods. Not only do these offences blight our environment, the cost of the clean up has to be met by private landowners (often our farmers) or local authorities.

I was pleased to see first-hand the work being carried out by Sussex Police's Rural Crime Team and their partners to prevent, disrupt and investigate this type of offending. Their commitment to protecting our rural communities and natural spaces is commendable.

The Government has recently announced tougher measures to tackle fly-tipping, including increasing fixed penalty notices from £300 to as much as £5,000. I welcome the recognition of the cost impact that waste crime has on local communities but I also hope Government will ensure all relevant enforcement agencies have the resources and support they need to identify offenders and bring them to justice.

If you discover fly-tipped waste, you can:

• Report it to your local council
• Large-scale, hazardous or organised waste crime should also be reported to the Environment Agency
• If you witness fly-tipping taking place and there is an immediate need for a police response, please contact Sussex Police straight away
• Of course, you can always report anonymously through Crimestoppers

I was pleased to join Op Barley and see everyone working together to hold offenders to account, protect our environment and help ensure Sussex remains a clean, safe and enjoyable place for all of us.

Have your say - Safer in Sussex Survey

Today, I am pleased to launch my annual Safer in Sussex Survey, giving residents across our county the opportunity to share their views on community safety, the policing service they receive and what could help them feel safer where they live.

Hearing directly from residents is one of the most important parts of my role as your Police & Crime Commissioner. The feedback you provide helps me act as your voice within policing, ensuring that the issues that matter most to you are raised directly with the Chief Constable and her senior leadership team.

Every response helps me to build a clearer picture of the issues affecting residents across Sussex and supports efforts to make our county safer for everyone.

The survey takes just a few minutes to complete and will remain open until Friday 9 October.

Your voice matters - please do take part and have your say by clicking here.

Katy Bourne OBE
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner