Safety Marshals, already a familiar presence in Sussex’s nightlife, are set to hit the streets during the day too — thanks to new funding secured for the busy summer season.
From Monday 11 August to Sunday 28 September, the marshals will expand their patrols to daytime hours across Brighton, Crawley and Eastbourne. These patrols will run 8am to 4pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, complementing the existing night-time patrols in Brighton, Crawley, Eastbourne, and Worthing.
The initiative is being funded by the Home Office Hotspot Action Fund via the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). The move also supports the national Home Office ‘Safer Streets Summer’ initiative, aimed at boosting visible patrols and community engagement during one of the county’s busiest periods.
The Safety Marshals are a highly trained team who wear high-visibility uniforms, use body-worn cameras to capture evidence, and maintain direct radio links to police. Operating primarily on Friday and Saturday nights, their role includes de-escalating issues, safeguarding vulnerable individuals, and assisting emergency services.
Now, their remit is widening. The daytime patrols will focus on:
- Tackling anti-social behaviour
- Reducing business-related crime
- Supporting local Business Crime Reduction Partnerships (BCRPs)
- Offering visible reassurance to shoppers, tourists, and workers
Police and PCC Statements
Chief Superintendent Katy Woolford said:
“We’re delighted to expand the Night Safety Marshals to cover day patrols across Brighton, Crawley and Eastbourne for the next seven weeks. This will no doubt help to make Sussex safer for residents, businesses and the communities.”
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne added:
“Our Safety Marshals have proved to be a great asset for our booming nighttime economy. It is therefore great news that funding provided by my office will secure additional patrols from the marshals in the daytime too, meaning more residents, visitors and businesses will benefit from their work in keeping our streets safe.
Sussex boasts a fantastic mix of coast, culture and history, so it is no surprise that during summertime it is an extremely popular place to be. This extra support over one of our county’s busiest periods will, no doubt, be extremely valuable.”
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