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Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne will hold her first Performance & Accountability Meeting (PAM) of 2026 on Thursday 15 January, where she will question Chief Constable Jo Shiner on key issues currently affecting policing in Sussex.

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne shares the following Thought Piece:

Migration from poorer parts of the world and war-torn nations will not be halted through slogans about stopping boats or smashing gangs. With climate change, political chaos and religious fundamentalism on the rise, it’s no surprise that European countries - and especially the UK - look like the promised land.

Whilst the British people have a justly proud record of welcoming those fleeing persecution, the British public is getting frustrated and angry that male economic migrants are arriving by the boatload, putting pressure on local services and costing taxpayers billions every year.

As the days get darker and the festive season is in full-swing, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne shines a light on 12 crime-fighting achievements that make us all Safer in Sussex this Christmas.

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne responds to news that Sussex Police is ranked number one in the country for 999 call answering times for the fourth month running.

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said:

“I’m delighted that Sussex Police is ranked number one in the country for quickly answering 999 calls – and for four months running.

“Over 98% of emergency calls are answered within 10 seconds, with an average pick-up time of just four seconds. That’s outstanding.

A project delivering specialist interventions on Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and online safety is pioneering a new approach to how agencies respond to young people suspected of offences involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Whereas previously a criminal justice approach would have been taken, Sussex Police and Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne, have partnered with two charities to deliver bespoke interventions that educate children about online dangers and ensure they have access to support.

Sussex Police is investigating reports of non-recent sexual abuse and neglect at two former NHS sites in Haywards Heath. Enquiries are ongoing into allegations made by former patients of the Colwood and Larchwood NHS facilities during the 1970s,1980s and 1990s. Investigators have engaged with a number of adult victims, who were children at the time of the alleged offending.

The Sussex Youth Ambassadors, recruited by the Breck Foundation and funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne OBE, have had a successful year speaking directly to their peers about the dangers of online grooming.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne will question Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner on a range of pressing issues at the next Performance & Accountability Meeting (PAM) on Thursday, 18 December 2025.

Policing protests in Sussex

With demonstrations continuing in Brighton & Hove over Palestine, in Crowborough around a migrant camp and in other locations across the county, PCC Bourne will scrutinise Sussex Police’s preparedness to manage these additional resourcing demands. Key issues include: balancing the rights of protesters and counter-protesters; engaging with groups to keep events peaceful and lawful; and ensuring officers receive the right training to judge whether language or actions at protests remain within the law.

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne OBE responds to news of force merger plans laid out by the Government. 

Sussex Police has launched its Christmas crackdown on drink and drug-drivers, stepping up patrols this month - in addition to routine roads policing duties 365 days a year - to ensure it protects all road users in Sussex and brings offenders to justice.

Within the first week of being operational, 63 people have been arrested for drink or drug-driving related offences and 22 have already been charged.