December 2nd, 2024.



A new scheme has been launched to help local businesses crackdown on shop thefts and anti-social behaviour and make pubs safer for customers and staff. Funded by Lewes Community Safety Partnership over a three-year period, this is an expansion of a similar scheme that has been operating successfully in Eastbourne for 11 years and offers business across the district the opportunity to join up for free.

The newly-formed Eastbourne & Lewes Business Crime Reduction Partnership is a unification of local businesses and agencies, including Lewes District Council, Eastbourne Borough Council and Sussex Police. It will work closely with Neighbourhood Policing Teams to help target the most persistent and problematic offenders and assist with protecting businesses. It will work with the Sussex Police Licensing Team offering enhanced support to existing Pubwatch schemes in the area to make venues safer to visit and work in.

Councillor Christine Robinson, Deputy Leader of Lewes District Council and Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing at Lewes District Council, explained: “This is great news for businesses and customers across the district and as a testament to that, nearly 40 businesses had already joined the scheme by launch day. I look forward to more business sign ups and the benefits this will bring in making our town centres and evening venues even better and safer places to visit.”


If you run a business in Lewes district and wish to be part of this scheme, contact adam.godden@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk for further information.