On Monday, 7 August, around 4 am, police were alerted to suspicious activities by three teenagers near a motorbike at Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne. The quick alert was thanks to a vigilant resident who noticed the teens.
Officers spotted the young suspects. One teen tried to escape but was promptly detained with the aid of a police dog. In a dramatic twist, the other two teenagers leaped into the sea, attempting to elude capture. Fortunately, with the joint efforts of the police, ambulance crews, and HM Coastguard using life rings, the boys were safely brought back ashore.
By 4:24 am, all three suspects, aged 13, 14, and 16, were taken into custody. They were arrested on charges related to motorcycle theft, and the 14-year-old was further charged with possession of burglary tools. The trio has since been released on bail, under stringent conditions, pending further investigation.
Chief Inspector Di Lewis of Eastbourne commented on the incident: “This event underscores the importance of community vigilance. The immediate reaction from the resident and our officers ensured that the suspects were quickly apprehended. Not only were we able to detain the culprits, but we also returned the stolen motorcycle to its rightful owner. Our investigation is still underway, and we always appreciate the public’s active involvement in reporting suspicious activities.”
