Public reassurance amid heightened terror threat focus of police scrutiny meeting

At the meeting, Sussex Police chief officers will be asked to provide reassurance following the recent increase in the UK terrorism threat level from substantial to severe. PCC Katy Bourne will seek clarity on how prepared Sussex Police is to respond to any such incident locally, what additional protective measures are in place and how the Force is encouraging the reporting of suspicious activity.

The Force’s response to fuel theft will also be examined, following a sharp rise in offences nationally since late February. PCC Katy Bourne will question how many incidents have been recorded in Sussex, whether local trends mirror the national picture and what advice is being provided to fuel retailers and forecourt operators.

With warmer months approaching, tackling anti‑social behaviour (ASB) will be in focus. The meeting will scrutinise the recently published Sussex Police Anti‑Social Behaviour Action Plan and what it means in practice for residents, businesses and victims. Questions will explore reporting levels, work with other organisations, victim support and how neighbourhood resources – including Neighbourhood Youth Officers – are being deployed to address ASB involving children and young people.

Planning for unauthorised encampments across the summer period will also be discussed. PCC Katy Bourne will seek assurances around preparedness, the legal powers available and how Sussex Police will work alongside local authorities, landowners and partners to manage any incidents recorded.

Following recent figures published by the Office for National Statistics, the meeting will review progress in tackling knife crime. Sussex Police recorded a 15% reduction across 2025 compared to the previous year. PCC Katy Bourne will ask about the factors driving this reduction, future prevention initiatives and how newly secured Home Office funding will be used to target high‑harm locations.

Commenting ahead of the PAM, PCC Katy Bourne said: “Livestreamed each month, my Performance and Accountability meetings give residents a clear view of local policing scrutiny in action.

“They enable residents to stay informed about how Sussex Police is responding to emerging risks and community concerns, while ensuring the Force remains accountable and transparent to the communities it serves.

“From serious violence and terrorism concerns to the everyday issues that matter most to residents, such as anti‑social behaviour and fuel theft, I expect clear evidence of how the Force is responding, learning and improving."

The meeting will take place on Thursday 21 May and will be live streamed on the PCC’s webcasting portal: https://sussex-pcc.public-i.tv/core/portal/home