Businesses, Police and Council Come Together to Tackle Disorderly Behaviour and Crime in Hastings
On Wednesday 8th October, the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce worked alongside Sussex Police, Hastings Borough Council, and Love Hastings to hold a meeting that brought together businesses from the local area to discuss disorderly behaviour and crime affecting our community.
Why did we hold the meeting?
The meeting came about after local businesses contacted the Chamber to share their first-hand experiences of public safety concerns, antisocial behaviour, and suspected drug activity. These issues are affecting businesses, residents, and visitors in both the town centre and the wider Hastings area.
As a Chamber, we recognise the challenges involved and appreciate the work already being undertaken by Sussex Police, Hastings Borough Council, local support services, and elected representatives. However, because these concerns keep recurring, we believe there is value in bringing partners and businesses together to discuss practical actions that can be taken collectively.
What was discussed?
The meeting aimed to inform local businesses about current initiatives and enforcement activity, and to identify ways to improve communication. Businesses also shared their own challenges, including damage to their property and intimidation.
The meeting was supported by the Safer Hastings Partnership. The issues raised will be shared with its partners, including Sussex Police, Hastings Borough Council, East Sussex County Council, and East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, to help inform a wider, joined-up response across the town.
Key points from this meeting
- Report in the moment: In an emergency, or if you are facing an issue as it happens, don’t hesitate to call 999. For non-emergencies, call 101.
- Always report incidents: It may feel like nothing comes of it, but reporting remains the best course of action. Reports help identify areas where increased patrols may be needed.
- Join the Disc scheme: Businesses with physical premises can apply to join Disc, a business-led local intelligence-sharing platform that aims to reduce crime in Hastings.
- Safer Hastings Business Forum: Hastings Borough Council’s Community Safety Team will be introducing the forum in November. For more information, email communitysafety@hastings.gov.uk.
Thank you
We’d like to extend our thanks to our speakers: Inspector Matt Chapman from Sussex Police, Cllr Becca Horn (Community Safety and Environmental Services Portfolio Holder for Hastings Borough Council), and John Bownas from Love Hastings. We also thank the wider representatives from Sussex Police and Hastings Borough Council for attending.
The Chamber is also very grateful to the White Rock for allowing us to host the meeting in the Studio 27 space, which enabled us to make the event free to attend.
