Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne, in partnership with the local authorities, has awarded a £25,000 grant to Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) to fund the delivery of specialist support services for families across Sussex who have been bereaved by homicide, suicide or unexplained deaths following domestic abuse.

The grant is made up of a £10,000 contribution from the PCC and a further £5,000 each from Brighton and Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council.  The funding will enable AAFDA to offer:

Specialist practical and emotional support to bereaved families.

Unique peer support group sessions tailored to those affected by fatal domestic abuse.

Guidance and resources for statutory agencies to improve their response to domestic abuse and their engagement with bereaved families.

Dedicated support for children, including bespoke resources and trained support workers.

AAFDA will deliver these services across Sussex to improve support for victims’ families, enhance statutory responses and reduce the risk of future fatalities.

Commenting on the funding award, PCC Katy Bourne said: “AAFDA’s work is crucial in supporting families at their most vulnerable. This grant reflects a shared commitment by my office and the local authorities to ensure that families get the specialist support they need after the homicide, suicide or unexplained death of their family member or friend, following domestic abuse.”

Founder and Chief Executive Office of AAFDA, Frank Mullane said: “Behind every statistic is a grieving family, trying to navigate unimaginable loss. AAFDA is currently working with six families across Sussex, providing specialist advocacy and support to help them navigate complex systems, access justice, and begin to rebuild their lives. We are grateful to Katy Bourne and to the local authorities for this grant which will help us to be there for local families, and we encourage anyone affected by fatal domestic abuse to reach out to us directly or via statutory agencies. No one should have to face this trauma on their own.”

Director of Public Health, Darrell Gale, East Sussex County Council said: “At the recent finale event to the Baton of Hope Tour in Hastings [the UK’s largest ever suicide prevention initiative], a mother gave a moving reflection on the loss of her daughter to suicide following domestic abuse and coercive control.  This is why we are proud to pool funding with our partners across Sussex to enable AAFDA, experts in this field, to carry out this important work.”

“AAFDA provide vital specialist support and advice to bereaved families and we are really pleased that we have been able to provide funding to support them in partnership with East Sussex County Council, Brighton and Hove City Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner”, added Amanda Jupp, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Adults Services.

Councillor Emma Daniel, Cabinet member for Children, Families and Youth Services at Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “We are determined to work alongside our partners across Sussex to ensure families affected by the tragedy of domestic abuse and, where a homicide or suicide result from that abuse, compounding the trauma for families, receive the very best support.

“By funding AAFDA’s vital services, we are helping to provide practical and emotional assistance at the most difficult of times for those families, as well as strengthening the guidance available to statutory agencies.

“This partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to supporting bereaved families and working together to prevent future loss.”

Further details about AAFDA’s support services and how to access them are available on the Safe Space Sussex website: Safe: Space Sussex – Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA). This online directory provides a secure environment where people can find out more about local victims and witness specialist support provision across Sussex.

A planned strike by Gatwick Immigration Services has been called off after an improved pay deal has been agreed.

The staff members who provide support to the UK Border Force at the airport’s immigration gates, voted to accept a six per cent pay deal backdated to April 2025.

Industrial action which was originally scheduled to take place earlier this month was suspended to allow for further negotiations. A new date was then set for the 27^th October which has also now been cancelled on account of the new pay deal.

Sussex police are pleased to announce crime has been reduced in town centre hotspots across Sussex this summer thanks to increased visible policing patrols and close working with businesses and partners.

July saw the start of the Safer Streets Summer initiative, a national campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour, particularly in town centres during the busy summer period.

There’s been a significant drop in reports of all crime in targeted town centres, including a drop in violent crime and shoplifting, as part of the campaign.

The increased police presence – more than 4,000 hours of additional patrols this summer – led to 230 searches, 32 weapons seized and stop 172 arrests.

The additional patrols and proactive policing during the campaign was enhanced by Night Safety Marshals working in the daytime to engage with vulnerable people and provide extra eyes and ears.

Officers have disrupted drug supply networks, provided quick and effective responses to business crime, shoplifting and assaults and targeted enforcement with partners.

The initiative to create safer, thriving town centres, has had a great effect. It follows on from the success of hotspot policing in Sussex, fully implemented a year ago after being piloted in the county.

Targeted hotspot patrols to deter and respond to crime will continue all year round.

Chief Superintendent Katy Woolford said: “Absolutely hotspot policing is having a positive impact in Sussex.

“By concentrating resources over the summer in targeted town centre areas, as part of a national campaign, we have significantly reduced crime.

“Violent crime was cut by 16.2%, offences involving a knife by 10.5%, shoplifting by 12/1% and all crime by 8.9% from July to September, compared to the same period last year.

“Officers and partners across Sussex have been working hard to prevent crime and to find and prosecute those who persistently commit crime and impact communities.

“Working closely with businesses and encouraging reporting of crime allows us to get a more accurate picture of what is happening locally and enables us to focus patrols at peak times to reduce harm.

“We are committed to keep town centres safe all year round.

“If you have any concerns in your area please report it. It is so important that we get that information from you to direct our resources to where they are needed.”

Commenting on the local success of the national campaign, led by Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and Chief Constables, Sussex PCC Katy Bourne said: “The crime reductions for Sussex speak for themselves – violent crime cut by over 16% and shop theft down more than 12%. Our Safer Streets campaign has really made its mark in our town centres.

“By investing in targeted prevention and partnership activities, we’ve reduced the crime that residents tell me matters to them and brought more offenders to justice.

“I’m really pleased with the work that’s been carried out, which has included hotspot policing, additional patrols and collaboration with community safety partners such as our Night Safety Marshals. The aim has always been to make our streets safer for everyone.”