Increased Police Patrols Begin with New Asylum Housing

‎Increased police patrols have become the centre of community conversations in an East Sussex town as residents try to make sense of the changes unfolding around them. Authorities have stepped up their efforts to reassure the local community following plans to accommodate up to 600 asylum seekers at a former military facility. Although the factual structure of the situation remains unchanged, the emotional terrain around it has grown more complex. People are asking questions, forming opinions, worrying about the unknown and hoping for clarity as the government advances its broader strategy to transition away from hotels and towards more structured asylum seeker accommodation. With asylum seeker arrangements shifting so quickly, the atmosphere in the town feels both uncertain and quietly hopeful, as though everyone is waiting to see how the next chapter unfolds.

‎This initiative has generated a wave of public concern. Conversations stretch from cafés to living-room tables. Some residents feel overwhelmed, others cautiously optimistic, but almost everyone agrees that communication and reassurance matter. Wealden District Council has taken a firm stance, formally adopting a motion opposing the scheme, which has further amplified the intensity surrounding the situation. In the middle of it all, increased police patrols have become a visible reminder that authorities are trying to hold the community together while the details settle.

‎Increased Police Patrols As A Visible Commitment To Safety

‎In response to these developments, Sussex Police have intensified their reassurance patrols across the town, aiming to build a sense of stability at a time when residents need it most. These increased police patrols are not merely symbolic; they are part of a deliberate effort to ensure that people feel seen, supported and protected. Police officials emphasise that the patrols are intended to increase community confidence through real, face-to-face visibility.

‎Jo Shiner, the chief constable of Sussex Police, highlighted that neighbourhood officers have become increasingly present within the town centre and surrounding areas. She noted, “We’re increasing our reassurance patrols, and there’s greater visibility in the town centre.” The sentiment echoes something residents themselves have been asking for: to know that someone is paying attention. Across the high street, through residential spaces, and within small neighbourhood clusters, increased police patrols create a sense of awareness that is difficult to replicate through announcements alone.

‎She further reassured residents that police teams, including Community Support Officers, are walking the streets, engaging directly with locals and making themselves accessible. It is in these conversations, these brief but meaningful exchanges between officers and residents, that much of the community’s reassurance takes shape.

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‎Leadership Presence And Ground-Level Understanding

‎During a recent meeting with Sussex’s police and crime commissioner, Katy Bourne, Ms Shiner elaborated on the police strategy. Even as the town adjusts to the thought of new asylum seeker accommodation opening nearby, she stressed that the police approach remains rooted in responding “effectively, proportionately, and with impartiality” to any concerns. Her reassurance echoes a broader truth: when communities change quickly, it is not only plans that matter but the tone, clarity and consistency of those plans.

‎She reinforced that maintaining public safety is their top priority. “Our priorities haven’t changed around keeping people safe,” she said, a statement that has brought a sense of steadiness to residents trying to make sense of the evolving asylum seeker arrangements.

‎To prepare for the arrival of the asylum seekers, Sussex Police are developing a comprehensive policing plan. The plan includes operational strategies, resource deployment and contingency measures designed to address potential concerns proactively. Increased police patrols form part of this operational rhythm. These patrols are less about reacting to problems and more about preventing them by fostering trust and visibility long before any issues arise.

‎Senior figures such as Ms Shiner and Assistant Chief Constable Rosie Ross have taken the crucial step of seeing the situation first-hand. They recently visited Crowborough to speak directly with residents and business owners. This act matters. It shifts planning from theoretical preparation to grounded understanding. Ms Shiner explained, “It’s easy to read a document of plans, but to actually go and make sure that those plans are actually going to meet reality, I think is incredibly important.” Her words reflect what many in the community privately feel: reassurance is strongest when leadership shows up in person.

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‎Planning, Funding And Operational Readiness

‎Financial considerations also play a significant role. Sussex Police are in the final stages of preparing a funding bid submitted to the Home Office to support these increased police patrols and wider operational needs. Ms Shiner noted that the bid is being finalised and should be completed by the end of the week. Without this funding, sustaining the heightened presence required to support the community through the asylum seeker arrangements would be significantly more challenging.

‎Acknowledging the weight of local concern, Ms Shiner reiterated the preparedness of the police force. She described Sussex Police as operating under a “really good, solid, command structure” tested through training and simulations. This structure ensures officers can respond cohesively even as the asylum seeker accommodation prepares to open. Her confidence in Rosie Ross and the broader command team reflects the assurance residents have been seeking: strong leadership, clear organisation, and flexible adaptation.

‎The leadership’s proactive approach aims to maintain community safety and prevent misunderstanding or tension. Increased police patrols function not only as a presence but as a form of communication in themselves. The message is simple: the police are here, paying attention, and ready.

‎Community Engagement And Transparent Dialogue

‎For BBC Sussex, the story continues to unfold. The station encourages residents to follow updates, share concerns and engage through Facebook, X and Instagram. Community members are invited to share their stories or feedback via email or WhatsApp, giving residents a direct voice in the ongoing narrative and keeping the conversation grounded in local experience.

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‎A Community Moving Forward Through Increased Police Patrols

‎Overall, the police and local authorities are actively working to balance the practical needs of accommodating asylum seekers with the lived experiences of residents. Through increased police patrols, direct engagement, strategic planning and transparent communication, they aim to maintain safety and trust at a time when both are deeply needed.

‎This moment in the town’s history feels transitional. People may not know exactly what the next few months will look like, but they are navigating it together, step by step, supported by visible policing and an open channel between authorities and the community. Increased police patrols remain the clearest sign of that ongoing commitment.