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 1.65m grows significantly each year with millions of visitors, holidaymakers, students, seasonal workers and millions of passengers travelling through Gatwick Airport.

Urban areas, with their day and night-time economies and rural areas present contrasting policing challenges from alcohol and drug related crime, to annual political party conferences through to tackling rural crime.

Already low-cost, they are only one of six forces in England & Wales with a significantly lower officer full time equivalent per 1000 population than the national average, which reflects grant funding. It continues to transform its services and modernise to improve criminal justice outcomes for victims.

Sussex Police collaborates extensively with its neighbouring force, Surrey Police, which has delivered greater efficiency and effectiveness, improving services and resilience. It works ever more closely with partners including other emergency services and other regional forces.

Delivering against the Sussex Police and Crime Plan over the past three years uplift and precept funding has supported a growth in police officers and this new capacity has been targeted at delivering against those public priorities.

The force saw continued post-pandemic growth in demand, particularly in emergency calls for serve and crime, with significant challenges around the increase in online criminality. The force has invested in a number of innovations to improve its capacity and capabilities to tackle emerging crime threats.

The force has almost 2,950 police officers and 2,100 police staff, 234 police community support officers and a team of dedicated volunteers that includes over 100 special constables.

Disclaimer: the above statement has been prepared by Sussex Police. The views and information in it are not necessarily those of HMICFRS.