Community Safety
The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 gave local authorities and the police a duty to work together to develop crime and disorder audits and implement reduction strategies.
Section 5 of the Act sets out that the Police have joint responsibility for preventing and reducing crime and disorder in the area in partnership with local authorities. ‘Responsible authorities’ have a duty to co-operate through a Community Safety Partnership (CSP). In our area, the Safer Wealden Partnership meets this legislation and includes representatives from the following agencies:
- Wealden District Council
- East Sussex County Council
- East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
- Sussex Police
- The office for the Police and Crime Commissioner
- Wealden District Association of Local Councils (WDALC)
- Education
Countywide, the East Sussex Community Safer Partnership is in place:
https://www.safeineastsussex.org.uk/
Emergency contacts and useful links
In the event of an emergency, please always follow the following advice:
999 or 112 – For immediate police assistance in an emergency.
101 – For non-emergency situations where you need police assistance or to report a crime that is not urgent. The 101 service is available across the UK.
You can also report incidents of anti-social behaviour and non-urgent crime online at:
https://www.sussex.police.uk/ro/report/
If an incident arises on a train or train platform, you can discretely report it to the British Transport Police via text, on 61016
999 or 112 – To report a fire or request fire brigade services.
South East Coast Ambulance Service
999 or 112 – For medical emergencies requiring an ambulance.
Or if you need assistance to further understand your medical symptoms and what action you may need to take, please contact 111:
https://111.nhs.uk/
Crowborough Training Camp
In the latter half of 2025, the Home Office published plans to use the Crowborough Training Camp in line with its statutory obligation to provide asylum seekers, who would otherwise be destitute, with accommodation.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) own the site as part of its estate.
The Crowborough site began accommodating asylum seekers from 22 January 2026.
Uckfield Town Council recognises the emotive nature of the plans, and, given our proximity as a town to Crowborough (around seven miles), we wish to keep residents informed and up-to-date with the latest updates regarding the site.
The latest information about the site can be found on the following pages:
Home Office factsheet:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asylum-accommodation-at-military-sites-factsheets/crowborough-training-camp-east-sussex-factsheet
Wealden District Council page:
https://www.wealden.gov.uk/crowborough-army-camp/
Crowborough Town Council page:
https://www.crowboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk/about-us/council-news/crowborough-army-camp-accommodation-for-asylum-seekers/
Sussex Police Latest News page:
https://www.sussex.police.uk/news/sussex/news/
Image Credit: Gareth Fuller / PA Wire
Safe Spaces
The Safe Space Sussex Scheme is a county-wide initiative, started by the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner.
The scheme is aimed at making residents of Sussex feel safe and forms a network of locations offering a Safe Space for people to go if they feel unsafe, scared, threatened or at risk of harm, whilst out in public.
The purpose of the scheme is to provide a space and facilities where people can seek help, make a phone call or simply wait in a safe environment until they feel comfortable to continue their day.
Safe spaces include businesses, organisations, community spaces, and various other publicly accessible eligible venues.
Premises that have signed up have done so voluntarily and have been assessed as suitable premises. They can provide individuals with access to a private or a quiet area, access to a phone, a toilet and drinking water, whilst accessing the space.
Sites in Uckfield include the following:
- The Civic Centre Uckfield, Civic Approach, TN22 1AE
- Tesco Superstore, Bellfarm Road, TN22 1BA
- Boots (Uckfield High Street), TN22 1AG
- Freedom Leisure, Uckfield Leisure Centre, TN22 3DJ
- Tesco Express, Browns Lane, TN22 1UN
More information on the Safe Space Sussex Scheme can be found here: https://www.safespacesussex.org.uk/
