The Sussex Police and Crime Panel met to discuss the Police and Crime Commissioner's work to improve the response to hate crime, and to review progress against the Sussex Police Estate Transformation Strategy 2025/2036. The panel also appointed members to the Budget and Precept Working Group.

Hate Crime Response

The panel considered a report on the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner's (PCC) work to improve the response to hate crime reports, detailed in the Hate Crime Report PCC. The report outlines the Commissioner's efforts to ensure that Sussex Police effectively addresses hate crime.

Panel members were reminded that the Chief Constable employs a Chief Officer responsible for diversity, race, and hate issues, who leads on internal and external policies. The panel discussed the possibility of receiving more information on steps taken to combat hate crime, particularly against women, girls, and the LGBTQIA+ community. The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) offered to facilitate a meeting between the panel and the victims commissioning team for further discussion.

Sussex Police Estate Transformation Strategy 2025/2036

The panel reviewed the progress made against the Sussex Police Estate Transformation Strategy 2025-2036, as detailed in the PCC Estates Strategy Report. This strategy outlines plans for modernising and improving Sussex Police's properties and facilities.

During the discussion, members inquired about milestones for achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and engagement with specific entities to help meet these objectives. The Commissioner confirmed ongoing work programmes addressing financial and environmental issues, acknowledging challenges in meeting long-term goals due to affordability.

Public and Panel Questions to the Commissioner

The panel addressed questions to the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne, regarding crime and policing in Sussex. These questions covered a range of topics, including lessons learned from Operation Skylark¹, satisfaction with Sussex Police's actions in a West Wittering extortion case, funding for Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), recording of phone theft data, the use of sonic cameras to address loud motor vehicles, annual reporting changes due to local government restructuring, and the progress of the Fatal Five unit².

Katy Bourne addressed concerns about a complaint involving extortion at a camping and caravan park in West Wittering, stressing that it was an operational matter and inappropriate to comment on an ongoing complaint.

In response to a question about funding additional PCSOs, Katy Bourne expressed her support for PCSOs but noted that the funding and recruitment of PCSOs is the responsibility of the Chief Constable, with no current plans for co-funding.

Regarding phone theft data, Katy Bourne explained that crime recording rules are set by the Home Office, and the Niche crime recording system in Sussex would require additional flags to record this data, requiring permission from the operating company.

On the use of sonic cameras, Katy Bourne stated that the technology was still under exploration by the Department for Science, Technology, and Innovation, with potential funding as technology improves.

Addressing changes to local government, Katy Bourne indicated that there were no concrete plans for annual reporting after the changes, with the assumption that the PCC's responsibilities would transfer to the office of the newly elected Mayor.

Katy Bourne confirmed that work was ongoing to establish the Fatal Five Unit, with a report due by October 2025 and hopes to be running in the new year.

Commissioner's Annual Report and Financial Outturn Report 2024-25

The panel reviewed the Commissioner's Annual Report and Financial Outturn Report 2024-25.

Members raised concerns about rural crime and the number of dedicated officers, to which Katy Bourne responded that they were restricted by funding limitations, but Sussex Police had the largest rural crime team in the South East.

Regarding spending discrepancies, Mr McCulloch, Chief Finance Officer OSPCC, explained that they were managing large transformation schemes and capital budgets often span more than one financial year.

The panel noted the Commissioner's approval of £5 million funding from central government into business and retail crime and her investment in the DISC app³ in Rother and other districts and boroughs across Sussex. Concerns were raised about the discrepancy between increased reporting of business-related crime and a decrease in the solve rate, as well as issues with the DISC app, particularly in the Bexhill area. Katy Bourne clarified that the DISC app was intended for information sharing and reporting, with the responsibility of educating businesses on its use shared between the Police and local authorities.

Katy Bourne reassured the panel that Sussex Police do not consider a £200 limit when investigating shoplifting, contrary to previous government advice.

Regarding the Fatal Five unit, Katy Bourne explained that funding would come from her own budget and that setting up the unit was one of her manifesto pledges.

In response to questions about near-fatal strangulation during sexual intercourse, Katy Bourne said she would consult with her victims' commissioning team and provide an answer to the Panel.

Addressing the £5 million pressure on the police budget, Katy Bourne explained that they had been set a savings target through efficiencies, but the recent spending review meant they were looking at a 1.7% increase in real terms, putting pressure on Sussex Police.

Regarding plans for Centenary House in Worthing, Katy Bourne said she could not offer any updates as discussions were ongoing and sensitive.

Vetting Processes within Sussex Police

The panel considered a report on the role of the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner in ensuring the effectiveness of vetting processes within Sussex Police.

Concerns were raised about the number of areas requiring improvement identified in a report by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). Katy Bourne assured the Panel that she would address the inspection report at the next Performance Accountability meeting with the Chief Constable, but cautioned that the data used by HMICFRS in the report would have been at least eight months old. She also welcomed submissions from the Panel on questions to raise with the Chief Constable before the meeting.

Working Group Appointments

The Panel appointed members to the Budget and Precept Working Group, which acts as a critical friend in the development of the budget and proposed precept for 2026/27. The group will meet twice, virtually, in mid-November 2025 and in January 2026.