Sussex places with the most violent or sexual offences

Eastbourne town centre has been blighted by late night incidents including a stabbing, someone being bottled, and an attack with a “noxious substance”.

The town has also fallen victim to incidents in broad daylight including an “appalling” attack on a postman at Christmas which left him needing thousands of pounds worth of dental work.

Sussex Police said “some crime types have naturally increased” across the county rather than just Eastbourne as coronavirus restrictions have eased.

Eastbourne town centre had 124 violent or sexual offences recorded in April 2022, the latest police crime data.

After an incident near The Town House pub in Seaside Road, Eastbourne

On Saturday, June 18, a man was stabbed outside Cameo nightclub in Langney Road, while The Argus understands a woman had a bottle smashed on her head near The Town House pub in Seaside Road on the same night.

Last November, a man suffered a fractured eye socket outside Cameo.

While in February this year, a man had a noxious substance thrown in his face outside Blue Bar Cafe in Pevensey Road. A man is still wanted following the attack.

Bradley Moynes is wanted in connection with an attack with a noxious substance in Eastbourne

In March, a man was hit in the face with a bottle while leaving Cameo nightclub.

Sussex Police said it has stepped up its patrols around the night-time economy to try and be a visible deterrent for crime.

Chief inspector Diane Lewis, district commander for Eastbourne and Lewes, said: “Eastbourne is a safe place for people to live, work and visit.

“Mirroring the picture seen across Sussex and nationally, reports of some crime types have naturally increased over the last 12 months as coronavirus restrictions have eased and society – in particular the night-time economy – has opened back up.

There have been a number of incidents near Cameo in Langney Road

“We have stepped up proactive, targeted patrols around the night-time economy and have carried out an enormous amount of work with our partners in licensed venues to make sure everybody is safe to enjoy a night out in the town.

“This is allied with the launch of our Project WAVE (wellbeing and vulnerability engagement) cars – dedicated patrol vehicles aimed specifically at protecting women and girls from violence in the night-time economy.”

Street pastors also work on Friday and Saturday night to support people in need and “help operate safe spaces in the town”.

Tommy Powell was left partially sighted after a noxious substance was thrown in his face

DC Lewis added: “Officers in uniform and plain clothes also carry out preventative patrols to target perpetrators who are likely to cause harm before situations escalate.

“All of this targeted action is alongside the daily work undertaken by our response officers called to incidents, our neighbourhood policing team working with our communities to prevent crime, tackle the root causes of criminality and safeguard vulnerable people and the numerous other dedicated teams working 24 hours a day to make sure Eastbourne remains a safe place.

“We would always encourage anybody to report any crimes, issues or concerns to us online, via 101 or by calling 999 in an emergency.

"The public are our eyes and ears, and the more reports we receive the better a picture we can build of the issues affecting our communities, allowing us to target our resources more effectively.”

Ashley Roberts-Araujo, 19, left, and Inno Makolo, 21, right, stabbed a boy in the stomach near the Beacon shopping centre last November

Compared to other towns, Eastbourne has seen more violent or sexual offences in its town centre. 124 in April this year compared to 118 in Brighton's city centre in the same month.

The centre of Hove had 35 incidents.

Hastings town centre saw 71 violent or sexual offences in April 2022. While Worthing town centre saw 83 violent or sexual offences, according to police crime data.

In April Seaford town centre had 15, Crawley had 31 and Bognor had 23.

Peacehaven had 32 incidents. St Leonards had 33.

Of the nearly 3,590 recorded crimes in Eastbourne town centre during between May 2021 to April this year, 1,243 were noted as "violent or sexual offences".

However, Eastbourne town centre's crime rate has fallen from 941 in the first quarter of 2020, January to March, to 852 recorded crimes in January to March this year, the latest available quarter.

January to March 2021 saw 691 crimes recorded but this was during Covid restrictions.

The incident in Seaside Road, Eastbourne on Saturday night, June 18

Eastbourne Borough Council said it works in partnership with Sussex Police and licenced businesses.

It did not express concerns about crime in the town when approached for comment.

A spokesman said: “Eastbourne is one of safest places in the UK to live and work.

“Recorded crime remains very low compared to many other towns and cities.

“In regard to the hospitality sector and pubs and clubs, our licensing team includes a night time economy specialist adviser.

“The team also work collaboratively with licenced premises to ensure they meet their licensing requirements and objectives.”