Brighton University murderer gets life sentence

David Browning has been given a minimum 28 year sentence for the murder of his boss Jill Howell in October last year. Both worked in the finance department of the University of Brighton.

Howell, who had been a volunteer with the Samaritans, had been helping Browning get over the death of his father which he claimed had resulted in the depression that had resulted in the murder. A jury took just two hours to dismiss the defence of the crime and the judge handed down the sentence of nearly three decades.

Browning handed himself in to police almost immediately after the crime but discovered that John Street police station was not open when he presented himself a 6:00 a.m. and had to phone 999 to get arrested.

Ask 4 Angela launched in Brighton

The BCRP is pleased to announce the official launch of the ‘Ask 4 Angela’ campaign in the Brighton and Hove area.

'Ask 4 Angela’ was created by Lincolnshire County Council and enables people to discreetly ask for help from members of staff in venues by using the 'code name' Angela. The individual simply has to approach any member of staff in a venue and ask to speak to “Angela”. This alerts staff that the person needs help defusing or avoiding a situation that they don't find comfortable.

Hayley, who works as the sexual violence and abuse strategy co-ordinator for Lincolnshire, said: "Angela was a play on the word (guardian) Angel. The posters are up in male and female toilets and provide reassurance there is support available if needed."

The campaign, which involves posters going up in venue toilets, has been rolled out up and down the country and has even attracted global attraction.

The Brighton and Hove BCRP have worked closely with colleagues from Sussex Police, most notably the licensing team to roll out the campaign in the city.

Over the past three years, Sussex Police, in partnership with the BCRP, have been taking an innovative approach with their campaigns in a bid to prevent rape and serious sexual offences within the night time economy. This has included the successful vulnerability training package that has been running annually over the last three years. The training aims to provide members with a toolkit to consider when dealing with vulnerable people to ensure their safety.

The “Ask 4 Angela” campaign complements the training package and seeks to highlight to members of the public and customers that staff, from bar staff to security personnel, in the city take their safety seriously.

To find out more about the campaign within Brighton & Hove or to get hold of some of the posters please contact us.

Sussex Police lead the way in new initiative to tackle drug dealing

Sussex Police, working with the Metropolitan Police Service and the Home Office, is the first force in the country to use a new law aimed at curbing the use of phone lines by organised crime groups to distribute drugs.

Two investigations have already resulted in the closure of nine dedicated phone lines used by alleged dealers targeting users in Brighton & Hove. 

One group was offering cocaine, and the other group was offering heroin and crack cocaine.

A total of 38 people have so far been arrested in the two operations, which are ongoing.

Powers in the new Digital Economy Act enable police to seek restrictions on handsets that they believe are being used by drug dealers to operate "deal-lines" to remotely deal drugs, sometimes known as 'County Lines', in areas outside major cities.

The crime groups sometimes exploit drugs users, children and other vulnerable people as couriers, using "specific" mobile phone numbers.

Police can apply for a county court order that is then sent to the relevant telecommunications provider. The Drug Dealing Telecommunications Restrictions Orders (DDTROs) require a communications provider to take whatever action the orders specify to prevent or restrict the use of communication devices in connection with drug dealing offences, typically closing the lines down.

When lines are closed by service providers after the issue of a DDTRO, police send the known users of the lines a text informing recipients that it is part of continuing enquiries aimed at combating drug abuse in Sussex and that the phone numbers to which the messages have been sent have been identified as being in contact with a known drugs line. It is made clear that police realise that the owners of the phones may or not have made the contact and recipients are also provided with local contact details for drug treatment advice.

The first DDTROs were implemented for two numbers on 25 January, and on 20 April two further numbers were closed down. All four relate to the cocaine 'line'

On 23 April five numbers relating to the separate alleged heroin and crack cocaine activity were shut down.

Assistant Chief Constable Jeremy Burton on the Surrey and Sussex Police Specialist Crime Command said: "DDTRO's are a valuable new resource that law enforcement can use in our continuing work with partners to combat the scourge of illicit drugs in local communities. It is already clear that they can help disrupt dealing activity and produce extra valuable intelligence for us about organised crime groups. 

"But they have to be used as part of our overall strategic approach to this type of organised criminality, and they need to be closely co-ordinated with our operational work including arrests and seizures of phones. 

"The criminality we are combating typically involves organised crime groups from other areas selling class A drugs, in particular cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin. They establish and operate distinctive telephone numbers for customers ordering drugs, operated from outside the area, which becomes their ‘brand’. Unlike other criminal activities where telephone numbers are changed on a regular basis, these telephone numbers have value so are maintained and protected.

"The 'County Lines' groups tend to use a local property, generally belonging to a vulnerable person, sometimes drug users, as a base for their activities. This is known as 'cuckoooing' and will often happen by force or coercion. In some instances victims have left their homes in fear of violence.

"However, some crime groups, as with the alleged heroin and crack cocaine line currently under investigation, do not follow the 'cuckooing' method, but instead just place known associates into the community to act as the local contacts." 

Katy Bourne, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, said; “It will be very reassuring for the public to hear that Sussex Police are the first in the country to use DDTROs to disrupt drug dealers.

"I’m delighted that the new legislation gives the police the powers they need to ensure that telecommunication providers can shut down phone lines being used by organised crime gangs.

"Only this week, I have been talking to officers in one of our coastal towns to see for myself how local crime is often a direct result of major drug distribution via county lines.

"Officers will welcome the DDTROs as an effective addition to their drug-busting armoury, and the approach that offers support for dependent drug users.
The 35 arrests resulting from the drug line investigations is sending a clear message to drug gangs that they cannot expect an easy ride in Sussex.”

Victoria Atkins, Minister for Crime, Safeguarding and Vulnerability, said: “County lines gang activity and the associated violence, drug dealing and exploitation have a devastating impact on young people and vulnerable adults. 

“The Government is determined to fight this emerging threat and we are already taking measures to ensure police and practitioners have the tools they need to crack down on offenders and protect victims across our communities. I welcome the hard work and commitment from forces to tackle these criminals and their effective use of this new legislation proves how we can work together to prevent serious crime. 

“In addition we have recently launched the Serious Violence Strategy which highlights the strong link between drugs and serious violence and supports a new balance between prevention and effective law enforcement. As part of the Strategy we are backing the development of the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre which will support such police operations.”

In relation to the alleged 'cocaine line', Kujedesi Pista, 36, an electrical worker, of Charlottes Court, Cardigan St, Luton, pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday (10 April) to conspiracy to supply class A drugs. He was the man arrested in Luton on 7 March. He will be sentenced on a date yet to be set by the court, in September.

In a further development in that investigation, on Thursday (19 April) Hynsi Tafa, 46, a builder, of Wauluds Bank Drive, Luton,  was charged with being concerned with Pista in conspiracy to supply of Class A drugs. He appeared in custody at Brighton Magistrates Court on Friday (20 April) and was remanded in custody to appear at Lewes Crown Court on 19 May.

Thirty-six arrests have so far been made in relation to the five closed down heroin and crack cocaine lines and enquiries are continuing. The total of arrests includes two that were made as a result of a related operation on Monday 23 April, when detectives from the Brighton Community Investigation Team executed search warrants at four addresses in the city, and another man who was arrested the following day. 

Visit here to read more about the operation relating to the five closed down heroin and crack cocaine lines, including the arrests on 23 April.

Adedoyin Balogun, 24, of Park Crescent, Brighton, and a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons have been charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine. They appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (24 April) and were committed  for trial at Lewes Crown Court with an initial appearance on 22 May. 

Zak El Alami, 18, of no fixed address, has been charged with the same offence and is appearing in custody at Brighton Magistrates Court on Wednesday (25 April). 

For advice and information about drugs see the Sussex Police drug advice page. 

Sussex Police search for witnesses to a common assault

A man has been arrested after an argument outside a Brighton bar. 

It is alleged that a man threatened two other males with what is believed to be a hammer. 

Sussex Police are currently searching for witnesses to the incident which happened at approximately 07:50pm on Wednesday 25 April outside Latest Music Bar in Manchester Street. 

A 29 year old man was arrested on suspicion of assault. The male is in custody whilst the investigation continues. 

If you witnessed this incident please report information to police online or by calling 101 quoting reference 1191 of 25/04.

Off licence closes after licence applications revoked

International Food and Wine on Preston Road in Brighton had its licence revoked in December 2017 by Brighton & Hove city council's licensing panel after it heard that the store had been caught selling smuggled alcohol and cigarettes, out of date food and that the management was evasive. 

The store lodged an appeal and they were allowed to remain trading until the appeal was heard. A new licence application was submitted by a 'new owner' in the interim period but this was refused by the council. 

The original appeal was dismissed earlier this month after the applicant failed to attend the court proceedings. 

Neighbours have expressed their relief at the store being closed down and have already seen an improvement in the last three weeks stating that the outside is much cleaner and there have been no disturbances even at the weekends. 

Cllr. Jackie O’Quinn, chair of the licensing panel which refused the latest application, said: “We are so pleased that this is a matter which is closed because there were so many issues coming from these premises. It had a historic reputation and a lot of complaints from residents and it had been open until 3am.

“What we are particularly delighted that the licence has now been surrendered. It's a residential area and new off licences can’t even go to 11pm in that area.

“A lot of late licences did go through historically. We are very happy to stand by our licensing policy because I think we are saturated and I think residents are fed up.”

'County Lines' drugs raid leads to three arrests

On Monday 23rd of April Sussex Police carried out a number of warrants in the city which led to three arrests and five 'county lines' being taken out of use in Brighton. This is part of a wider police operation to target drug supplies and dealers. 

Adedoyin Balogun, 24, and a 17 year old boy were arrested and charged with being involved in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine. Balogun was remanded in custody and the 17 year old was released on court bail. 

Zak El Alami, 18, was charged with being involved in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine and was due to appear in court on Wednesday (25 April). 

'County Lines' is a national issue involving the use of mobile phone 'lines' by groups to extend their drug dealing business into new locations outside of their home areas. 'County lines' usually involves exploitation of vulnerable persons - both children and adults in order to maximise dealers profits from the supply of drugs. 

Many of the 'county lines' drug supply networks targeted in the recent operation stem from London boroughs and Sussex Police had support from the Metropolitan Police Service throughout the investigation. 

Detective Inspector Julie Wakeford from Brighton said: "[Sussex Police] will continue to work with [the Metropolitan Police] to disrupt these networks... which are intent on supplying heroin in Brighton & Hove.

"The team works hard with our partners to reduce the harm caused by these dealing networks and to safeguard the vulnerable people exploited by them. We share a commitment to reduce the harm associated to heroin and crack cocaine supply in the city."

Do you know how to contact Sussex Police?

Sussex Police has developed two 90 second animations to educate members of the community on the best ways to contact the police. 

It is hoped that the animations will get the public to think more about the circumstances when they need the police so that their issue can be dealt with by the right person the first time they call thus saving everyone time, resources and effort. 

Assistant Chief Constable Laurence Taylor said: “I cannot stress how important it is that members of the public use the correct ways to contact the police. We still receive 999 calls that are not emergencies but on the flip side, also receive calls reporting crime on our local district numbers - which are intended for local concerns - where the member of the public should have dialled 999.

“For the public to know which channel to use in the first place, will support our commitment to keep our communities safe and feeling safe.

“Misplaced calls could endanger life, and mean we are not getting to where we need to be and protecting the most vulnerable.

“We want to make it clearer for people to get in touch with us in the most appropriate way.

"If you know who to call or contact, this will save you time by ensuring you speak to the correct person or organisation in the first instance.

”We have had to change the way we do things and the precept is now allowing us to strengthen local policing. This includes improving ways for the public to contact the police about non-emergency matters in ways that are convenient to them, including a new online portal for reporting incidents and contacting the police.”

Sussex Police deals with more than 70,000 contacts per month. On average around 580 emergency calls are made per day. These numbers continue to rise on a yearly basis and it is becoming increasingly important that people only call 999 in an emergency. 

The non-emergency line, 101, recieves more than 1,150 calls per day with some of these calls, such as those being made around parking issues, being redirected to more appropriate organisations.

Whilst 101 is the correct number to call for non-emergency issues, if there is no need to speak with someone directly then reporting online can help save you time. If a response is required your enquiry will be actioned within 24 hours. 

The ways to contact Sussex Police via their website are:
• Report online https://sussex.police.uk/contact-us/report-online/ 
• If it is a local community enquiry contact your local policing team - for Brighton and Hove see at https://www.sussex.police.uk/brighton-and-hove/. To find your local team, visit this page https://sussex.police.uk/contact-us/ 
• Other accessible contact methods for those with hearing or speech impairment https://sussex.police.uk/contact-us/accessible-contact-methods/

Other services available online include:
• Make a complaint or give the police feedback https://sussex.police.uk/contact-us/make-a-complaint-or-give-us-feedback/ 
• Access information on for example ASB, Burglary, theft https://sussex.police.uk/advice/ 
• Report a hate crime https://sussex.police.uk/advice/protect-yourself-and-others/hate-crime/ 
• Make a general enquiry https://sussex.police.uk/advice/ 
• If you are calling in regard to the following; these are issues you need to speak to your local council about fly tipping, rubbish and bins. Noise nuisance is not a police matter. You need to contact your local council https://sussex.police.uk/contact-us/report-online/report-noise-nuisance/

For more information on this please see the Sussex Police website. 

Teenager sentenced for stealing a motorbike and driving friends around the city

A 15 year old boy from Brighton has been sentenced after admitting to stealing a BMW motorbike and driving it around the city. 

The boy was also guilty of driving without a licence, no insurance, no helmet and carrying more than one passenger on the bike on 02 February after being caught on CCTV near the Vogue Gyratory in Lewes Road with two friends on board the bike. 

The boy was given a 9-month youth referral order, banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £400 compensation. 

Anyone who has information about motorbike crime should contact Sussex Police online or call 101 and quote "Operation Handlebars".