Sussex Police this morning (January 26) launched a new specialist unit to track and catch dangerous and wanted criminals using the local network of roads.
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.
The SEU, a mix of highly-trained police officers and detectives is equipped to be a one-stop-shop for road crime.
Officers said it has the ability to :
- identify, intercept and apprehend offenders, as they travel,
- seize drugs and stolen goods, and
- to investigate the crimes through to conviction.
Police claimed today that, so far, the unit has:
- amassed more than 750 officer hours on visible work across Sussex,
- made 17 arrests for supply of class A drugs, money laundering, and drug related motoring offences,
- seized six vehicles,
- made 93 seizures of class A drugs including crack and heroin and,
- on one job seized £10,000 worth of cocaine, £20,000 cash and safeguarded a 16-year-old involved in county lines drug dealing.
According to the county's police service, 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's 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."
Team members are said to have a blend of specialist skills to use a range of tactics to tackle criminals using the road network, including advanced driving skills and the use of a police dog unit to track offenders and search vehicles.
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