About Sussex Police
In recent years Sussex Police has been recognised as one of the most progressive forces in the UK . This is chiefly down to the hard work and passion of our people, our community and the leadership of Martin Richards QPM, Chief Constable, and Giles York, Deputy Chief Constable.
Sussex Police
This is an exciting time for policing in Sussex . Chief Constable Martin Richards QPM came to Sussex from Wiltshire in October 2007, and Deputy Chief Constable Giles York joined us in July 2008. In recent years, policing in Sussex has been transformed and current performance provides an excellent platform for future developments.
Sussex Police Authority and Sussex Police have made huge strides, recognised as one of the most progressive forces in the country, we score well in HMIC and Audit Commission inspections.
Performance, morale and public confidence are growing and Sussex is now seen by the HMIC and our local partners as one of the most rapidly improving forces in the country. Crime is falling and detections are at record levels.
However, we do not underestimate the task ahead. Irrespective of the reductions in crime secured over recent years, the demands on policing are greater now than ever before. Our communities want a responsive, visible and locally accountable police service that also deals successfully with the threat from terrorism and serious crime. These demands are made against the background of a worsening economic climate, where funding for public services will become even tighter.
Historically under-funded, compared with forces in the North and the Midlands, Sussex anticipated the financial challenges arising from the Governments Comprehensive Spending Review. Savings of £6m per annum have already been identified and are being delivered without cutting services to the public. Sussex faces the future with confidence and a renewed determination to provide the best possible standards of policing.
We pride ourselves on the quality of our relationships in Sussex . We want to maintain and develop the excellent relationship between the Authority and Sussex Police, and between ourselves and the key partners with whom we work including the Home Office, the Government Office for the South East, local authorities, CDRPS, criminal justice partners, town and parish councils, community organisations and the private sector.
More detailed information about the county and the job are contained on this microsite. We very much hope that having read it, you will want to join us in achieving our ambitious goals for the people of Sussex .
The County of Sussex
Sussex - the kingdom of the South Saxons - is bounded to the south by the English Channel, to the west by Hampshire, to the north by Surrey and to the east by Kent . Sussex is approximately 80 miles from west to east and 30 miles from north to south. The county has some 100 miles of coastline, including areas of high scenic value such as Chichester Harbour , the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head . Some 60 per cent of Sussex is included in areas of outstanding natural beauty and consideration is currently being given to the designation of a South Downs National Park .
Historically settlement was concentrated in a pattern of market towns and ports, later supplemented by the development of coastal resorts. The coming of the railways led to the considerable expansion of the coastal settlements and the growth of towns in Mid Sussex. The development of Crawley New Town after the Second World War and the expansion of London Gatwick Airport led to further growth in the north of the country in the latter part of the 20 th Century. Today, while much of the interior of Sussex remains undeveloped and agricultural, sites are being sought to enable the local authorities to meet the demanding requirements for additional housing growth set by the Government and farmers are contemplating an uncertain future.
Service industries, rather than manufacturing industry, are particularly important in Sussex , and the economy of the western half of the county is generally much stronger than that of the eastern half. Today, the major centres of population are the city of Brighton and Hove; the coastal towns of Hastings, Eastbourne Worthing, Bognor Regis and Littlehampton; the inland towns of Crawley, East Grinstead, Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath; and the historic cities and towns of Chichester, Midhurst, Petworth, Arundel, Steyning, Horsham, Lewes, Battle and Rye . In addition, there are sea ports at Littlehampton, Newhaven and Shoreham, and 35 million passengers pass through London Gatwick Airport , the country's second busiest airport, each year.
The current resident population of Sussex is about 1.5 million, which is significantly supplemented by the seasonal influx of visitors to the south coast holiday resorts, particularly Brighton and Hove and Eastbourne . The population is overwhelmingly white, but there are small black and ethnic minority communities, including a significant Asian community in Crawley . There is a large lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender population in Brighton and Hove . A perceived level of general prosperity in Sussex conceals significant pockets of social deprivation and a large elderly population on a small fixed income.
Sussex has always been divided into two counties for local government purposes and today, outside the city of Brighton and Hove (which is a unitary authority), local government is in the hands of East Sussex and West Sussex County Councils, and 12 Borough and District councils. Many of the districts in Sussex are amongst the safest in the country. Those with above average rates of crime and disorder include Brighton and Hove and Hastings . The Authority and Sussex Police are working with partners to set and achieve ambitious targets for crime reduction across Sussex .
Policing in Sussex
Sussex Police was formed in 1968 when the previously separate five county and borough forces were amalgamated as the result of the Police Act 1965. There are currently 5783 employees, made up of 3283 police officers and 2500 police staff. The revenue budget for 2008/09 is £245m and the capital budget is £15.9m. Seventy per cent of the Police Authority's expenditure is currently met by central government grant and 30 per cent from the council tax. In recent years each budget has seen a further shift towards more reliance on income from council tax, and Sussex is particularly vulnerable to any changes in the existing grant distribution arrangements. Historically under-funded, Sussex would need to employ an additional 300 officers to reach the average figure for English and Welsh county forces.
Notwithstanding these difficulties, Sussex Police has developed considerably over the last few years and is now one of the most progressive forces in the United Kingdom . The radical local focus of the organisation is delivering improved performance and public confidence. The results of public consultation indicate significant support for continued development. Trust in Sussex Police by the public and our many partners is very high. The Authority and Sussex Police are keen to maintain the momentum for change and increased delivery which has been built up over the last five years, to further develop neighbourhood policing and to enhance protective services capacity in partnership with other authorities and forces in the South East. The Authority's strategic direction and current priorities are set out in the Three Year Rolling Local Policing Plan, which is accessible on the Police Authority's website.
Organisational Structure
The current Chief Constable of Sussex, Martin Richards QPM, has been in post Since October 2007, having previously been Chief Constable of Wiltshire. The present Deputy Chief Constable, Giles York, joined Sussex Police from South Wales in July 2008.
The two Assistant Chief Constables, Robin Merrett and Jeremy Paine were appointed in 2007. Robin was formerly a borough commander in the Metropolitan Police Service. Jeremy is retiring in March 2009, and the opportunity is being taken to strengthen the team by the appointment of an additional Assistant Chief Constable.
Dr David Horne, the current Director of Resources, is taking up a senior post with the NPIA in February 2009 and through this process we are seeking to recruit his successor in the new role of Director of Finance. Marion Fanthorpe, the recently appointed Director of HR, completes the Chief Officer team.
This is an exciting time for policing in Sussex . This fresh new team has bought renewed focus and commitment to Sussex . With a clear strategy and the dedication of everyone who works for them, the future looks bright for Sussex Police. We have already demonstrated our track record of achievement and now it's all about maintaining that momentum, delivering a better service and ultimately serving and protecting the people of Sussex .
Police Headquarters is in Malling House, Lewes, a gracious 18 th century mansion in the county town of East Sussex , which includes a modern communications centre, offices and some residential facilities. Most Headquarters departments are either based here or will be moving to the Headquarters site shortly.