New police unit set up to tackle criminals on Sussex's roads
It's made 17 arrests in its first few weeks of operation
A new police unit has been launched to track and catch dangerous and wanted criminals using roads in Sussex.
The Specialist Enforcement Unit (SEU) will carry out disruption and enforcement operations on roads across the county, targeting those involved in serious, organised and violent crime.
Containing a mix of highly-trained police officers and detectives, Sussex Police has said the SEU is designed and equipped to be a 'one-stop-shop' for tackling road crime.
It will have the ability to identify, intercept and apprehend offenders, as they travel, seize drugs and stolen goods, and to investigate the crimes through to conviction.
So far the unit has made 17 arrests across Sussex for supply of class A drugs, money laundering, and drug relating motoring offences.
Officers have also seized six vehicles, made 93 seizures of class A drugs including crack and heroin and during one job alone seized ÂŁ10,000 worth of cocaine, ÂŁ20,000 cash and safeguarded a 16-year-old involved in county lines drug dealing.
The unit is the latest in a series of police enforcement teams to be launched across Sussex in the past year funded by the Government’s Uplift programme and local precept investment.
Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner said:
“The launch of the Specialist Enforcement Unit is providing extra, visible and robust policing on Sussex’s roads, with the ability to deter, detect and disrupt those intent on travelling to commit crime.
“They use both marked and unmarked vehicles and are equipped with the latest technology to identify and intercept known offenders, target hot spots, and support colleagues in making the roads safer for everyone – one of our key priorities.
“From drugs and violent crime, to people trafficking, child exploitation and theft, most criminals have to use the roads which are therefore prime hunting ground for the police.
“The SEU is charged with relentlessly pursuing and catching some of our most dangerous and prolific criminals by denying them use of the roads."
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said:
“The public will be delighted to see Sussex Police fulfilling their commitment to proactively target and disrupt prolific criminals who are using our road networks.
“Specially trained officers will be using smarter policing and tougher enforcement to make our roads safer which I know is one of the top priorities for local residents.
“I look forward to seeing this team in action in the near future once it is safe to do so. In the meantime, I will be receiving regular updates, including details of the criminals they catch on our roads.”