More about this area
The force says...
Sussex Police serves East and West Sussex and the city of Brighton & Hove – an area of 3,780km2. A resident population of 1.72m grows significantly each year with millions of visitors, holidaymakers, students, seasonal workers and the 39 million passengers travelling through Gatwick Airport.
Urban areas, with their day and night-time economies and more sparsely populated rural areas present contrasting policing challenges from alcohol and drug related crime to annual political party conferences through to tackling wildlife crime.
Already a low-cost force (spending £58m below the national force average), since 2010 the force has made savings of £100m. It continues to systematically transform its services and introduce new technology to improve efficiency and, wherever possible, reduce costs.
Sussex Police collaborates extensively with its neighbouring force, Surrey Police, which has delivered greater efficiency and effectiveness, improving services and resilience at a reduced cost.
To address recent crime reporting increases, Sussex Police has embarked on a significant four-year investment and recruitment programme – more police officers, police community support officers and detectives are strengthening how it prevents crime and to enhance public contact services – ensuring Sussex remains a low-crime area.
Sussex Police works ever more closely with other forces including Border Force, other emergency services and wider partners. With the Surrey, Hampshire & Thames Valley forces (the South East Regional Integrated Policing programme) its ambitious programme to converge key policing, business functions and technology systems will deliver substantial benefits.
Committed to innovation, sharing resources and systems, collaboration and working smarter Sussex will continue to enhance its capacity and capabilities to tackle emerging crime threats to keep Sussex a safe place.
The force has almost 2,600 police officers and 1,900 police staff, 216 police community support officers and a team of dedicated volunteers that includes over 230 special constables and around 130 police cadets.
Disclaimer: the above statement has been prepared by Sussex Police. The views and information in it are not necessarily those of HMICFRS.