Officers have seized a large quantity of illicit cigarettes, tobacco and illegal vapes from premises across the county and 18 people have been arrested after a month-long operation. 

These results follow Sussex Police’s involvement in Operation Machinize; a National Crime Agency (NCA)-coordinated operation to tackle illegal goods, money laundering and exploitation linked to cash-intensive businesses.  

Throughout October, Sussex Police partnered with agencies such as Trading Standards and the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement to conduct targeted activities across the county.  

Multi-agency warrants and discovery visits took place at 76 different premises and addresses throughout Sussex. 

Across West Sussex, officers conduct multiple warrants with Trading Standards and Immigration Enforcement at 35 retail premises including car washes, barber shops and convenience stores.  

An additional 18 residential addresses were also attended under police PACE powers.  

As a result of these warrants, over £30,000 in cash was seized, as well as tens of thousands of cigarettes and multiple kilos of tobacco, and 17 people were arrested. 

Test purchasing was completed at a number of premises who sold products with age restrictions and several premises failed these tests. Follow ups with the retailers will be undertaken by Trading Standards.   

Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Leadbeatter said: “Targeting money laundering and illicit goods in cash-intensive businesses allows officers to build a wider scope of intelligence for a variety of other offences and offenders that can be linked to these types of premises including organised crime groups. 

“Working in partnership with other agencies supports and strengthens this intelligence, and ensures that those engaging in both criminal and civil activity are held accountable and brought to justice.” 

The aim of Operation Machinize however, was not only to crack down on illegal goods and money laundering, but to increase safeguarding intelligence to protect vulnerable members in communities against potential exploitation.  

Officers in Brighton and Hove conducted a number of discovery visits at multiple cash-intensive businesses across the area to build intelligence in relation to safeguarding of workers.  

In East Sussex, officers also conducted safeguarding and discovery visits with officers from the Immigration Compliance Enforcement team, Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and Home Office Immigration Financial Investigators.  

The multi-agency visits took place at 19 premises including nail bars, car washes and barber shops.  

Additional agencies who attended various visits included the NCA, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), Home Office Immigration Financial Investigators and Wealden District Council.  

The visits were conducted on a consent-only basis, supported by the businesses.  

As a result of these visits, a 37-year-old man was arrested by Sussex Police officers on suspicion of employing a person with cause to believe they were disqualified from employment by reason of immigration status. He has been bailed while investigations are ongoing.  

Working in close partnership with the East Sussex Discovery team, partner agencies discovered several instances of fraudulent business practices which will be investigated jointly. 

Detective Chief Inspector Antony Leadbeatter continued: “Sussex Police proactively tackles money laundering and works to keep vulnerable people in our communities safe from exploitation every day.  

“Operations such as Machinize however, are opportunities to intensify our focus on these areas cracking down on criminality and building our intelligence to support future work. 

“I am pleased to see the good work and positive results achieved through this operation.  

“Sussex Police will continue to relentlessly pursue criminals, protect vulnerable people and ensure safety in our communities.” 

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council has been shortlisted as a finalist for Apprenticeship Programme of the Year at The Learning Awards 2026.

These awards recognise the very best organisations across the UK and beyond. Previous winners have included among others, Microsoft, KPMG, the NHS and Vodafone. To see Reigate & Banstead standing proudly among these names is a huge achievement and something to celebrate.

This recognition reflects the amazing work of our apprentices, who bring energy, creativity and commitment to everything they do, and our managers, who guide, support, and champion them every step of the way.

Together, they’ve helped shape a programme that’s not only about qualifications, but about confidence, growth, and creating real career pathways within the council.

Apprenticeships have become one of our most powerful tools for personal and professional development, giving people the chance to learn new skills, gain qualifications, and grow in roles that make a real difference to our community.

Later this month, we’ll present our programme to the national judging panel — showcasing how our approach to apprenticeships is helping build skills, strengthen services, and support our People & Culture vision to “Get, Keep, and Grow Great People”.

The winners will be announced at a black-tie ceremony in London next February, hosted by Claudia Winkleman at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House.

Cllr James King, Executive Member for Corporate Policy and Resources said: “Being named a finalist at The Learning Awards is a huge moment for us. It shows that local government can deliver first-class apprenticeship programmes — and that our apprentices, their managers, and the OD and HR teams are driving real transformation together.

“Apprenticeships are one of the best ways to invest in people — they unlock potential, develop confidence, and build future leaders, and this nomination proves what we can achieve when we grow together.”

“Thank you to everyone who’s made this achievement possible. We’ll update you again after the winners are announced in mid- February 2026.

The Boy and Sturgeon statue has been given a new home within Tilgate Park’s Walled Garden, next to the pond.

Fondly known as ‘The Boy and the Dolphin’, the statue was a landmark in Queens Square, delighting residents since the 1950s. The statue was moved to a central courtyard in the old town hall when Queens Square was being revamped and subsequently into storage at Tilgate Park when the new Town Hall opened.

The Boy and Sturgeon statue holds a special place in Crawley’s history and hearts. We’re proud to preserve this piece of our town’s heritage and give it the visibility it deserves. Its new home in Tilgate Park’s Walled Garden means residents and visitors can continue to enjoy this much-loved landmark. It’s definitely worth a visit next time you are in Tilgate Park!

Councillor Michael Jones

Leader of Crawley Borough Council

A man has been jailed after he was seen selling drugs on the street in Crawley.

Jamie Gabriel was seen by plain-clothes officers approaching drug users in the town.

The officers stopped a vehicle he was travelling in, and found him in possession of class A and B drugs.

Gabriel admitted five offences at Lewes Crown Court last Wednesday.

He was sentenced him to five years and seven months in prison.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is urging all residents to take extra care with electrical items this winter after a plug sparked an emergency incident.

The incident occurred at a residential property in Crawley when the resident heard a loud bang coming from a plug socket. Upon inspection, they found adapter and connected plugs had become blackened.

Fire crews assesed the situation and ensured the property was safe. Fortunately, no fire had broken out as a result

For further guidance on electrical safety in the home can be found on the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service website.