New figures show victims of burglary wait over three hours.
If you’re the victim of burglary in Sussex, the police are taking twice as long to turn up compared to two years earlier. Labour has claimed ‘victims are being let down.’
New figures revealed through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests show that in 2020/21 the average wait was 1 hour and 43 minutes. The latest figures for 2022/23 reveal the average wait is 3 hours and 32 minutes.
Labour and Co-operative candidate for Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Paul Richards said:
‘Sussex Police are stretched beyond breaking point. Today’s figures show that victims of burglary are being let down, as the time spent waiting has doubled in two years. That means that victims are left traumatised for longer, and the opportunities for detection and arrest are reduced. No wonder eight in ten burglaries in Sussex go unsolved.
‘I’ve been the victim of burglary. I know now terrible it can be, and how victims feel violated and scared. Every minute counts. We must improve police response times, and one step is my plan to recruit more Sussex police officers, PCSOs, and civilian staff.’
Paul Richards has launched his manifesto More Police, Safer Streets, Stronger Communities which sets out a plan for more police in neighbourhood teams.
The election for Police and Crime Commissioner is on Thursday 2 May. Remember you need VOTER ID to vote! If you don’t have any then its easy – just apply online here!
