Acquisitive Crime

In April 2007, the Burglary and Vehicle Crime Focus Groups merged to form the new Acquisitive Crime Focus Group, which is chaired by Sussex Police.

The group brings together partner agencies across Hastings & St Leonards to form and sustain initiatives to meet the targets set in the Safer Hastings Strategy 2005-08. Their targets are:

• To reduce the number of burglaries in the home by 40 per cent by 2008 compared to the recorded crime data for 2003/04
• To reduce burglaries other than dwelling (OTD) by 25 per cent by 2008 compared to the recorded crime data for 2003/04
• To reduce the number of thefts from vehicles by 40 per cent by 2008 compared to the recorded crime data for 2003/04 
• To reduce the number of thefts of vehicles by 30 per cent by 2008 compared to the recorded crime data for 2003/04 

The group has a number of key tasks by which it aims to achieve this reduction. These tasks are:

• Effectively share information on prolific burglars with the IPPO group
• Improve the quantity and quality of community intelligence
• Continue to support the work of the Secure Accommodation Scheme and InTouch Hastings & Rother Home Improvement Agency
• Promotion of initiatives tackling distraction burglary
• Act on the recommendations of the Strategic Assessment of Burglary OTD
• Develop crime reduction initiatives via Shop Watch & Bar Watch and with retail and industrial premises
• Proactive use of DVLA powers for removing untaxed and abandoned cars
• Seek further funding to extend CCTV monitoring for all car parks and to improve street lighting in Hastings & St Leonards
• Identify hotspots and take necessary action, including monitoring displacement
• Monitor and deal with issues of anti-social and reckless driver behaviour 

Prior to the merger of the Burglary and Vehicle Crime Focus Groups, the Burglary Group held an ongoing series of road shows providing crime prevention advise, as well as a ‘Beat the Business Burglar’ event for smaller businesses. A dedicated Burglary Investigation Team was formed at Sussex Police, and there was a 39 per cent reduction in dwelling burglary in 2004/05 compared to the previous year.

The Vehicle Crime Group achieved a reduction of 40 per cent in reported vehicle crime within the area, removed thousands of abandoned/untaxed vehicles from our streets, and 12 of Hastings Borough Council's car parks receiving the prestigious 'Safer Car Parks' award.

To find out more about the Acquisitive Crime Focus Group, contact Crime Prevention Officer Ms Lee Harris on 0845 60 70 999.