Bobbies on the beach: police open 'beach hut' in Brighton to help tackle crime
19 September 2019, 15:02
Sussex Police have launched an initiative called 'the Lookout' aimed at to keeping people safe on Brighton beach.
Police have opened the doors to their special beach hut, designed to keep people safe in the city.
Launched ahead of Fresher's Week, 'The Lookout' is located in a busy area of Brighton sea front.
It will be used by Sussex Police to be a visible presence for freshers, the community and visitors to the city.
Officers will provide information about crime prevention and water safety, as well as offering a safe space if needed.
The hut will be wrapped in bold police branding to help people at night, and will be run by partners including Brighton & Hove City Council, East Sussex Fire and Rescue, the RNLI, Brighton Seafront team and Brighton Beach Patrol in the day.
Police officers will be at the beach hut on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
Divisional commander Chief Superintendent Nick May said: “The beach hut is an innovative way of working collaboratively with our partners to reduce and prevent problems and issues linked to our busy beach and seafront area.”
“It provides a high visibility presence and is open in time for the Fresher’s Week events starting this month, which will see lots of young adults who have left home for the first time, starting university in Brighton and visiting the city's pubs, bars and clubs and the beach.”
Sarah Hogg, Director of Student Operations and Support at the University of Brighton said: “The safety and well being of all of our students is a major priority. We fully support this initiative which will provide additional assurance to new and returning students in Brighton at the start of a new academic year."
Filip Vasilijevic, University of Sussex Students’ Union (SU) President said: “We at the University of Sussex Students' Union welcome the opening of the Sussex Police beach hut and what it means for students' welfare during Freshers' Week.
"At Sussex SU we take students' safety very seriously, which is why run schemes like the Good Night Owls, where trained student volunteers provide immediate support and assistance to vulnerable students on big nights out in town."
Nigel Cusack from East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said: "We are pleased to be a part of the beach hut project with our local partners, working together to ensure safety advice is visible in one of busiest places in the city.
"At this time of year when we are welcoming new and returning students, it is an important time to remember to respect the water and offer an opportunity to engage with local services at the beach hut to find out more about keeping safe. We look forward to working together to help keep students, residents and visitors in Brighton and Hove safe."
Jason Roberts from Brighton Beach Patrol said: "We are delighted to see this multi agency facility opened on Brighton seafront, located in an area with heavy student footfall, we are confident that the hut will became a vital part of our shoreline operations. We look forward to working with Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire and Rescue, HM Coastguard and Brighton and Hove City Council to develop this fantastic new asset."
The beach hut will be on Brighton Beach until early November and then removed for further evaluation into its effectiveness.
