Friday, 23rd March 2018

Family tribute to St Leonards shooting victims

The family of a mother and daughter who sadly died in a shooting in St Leonards have paid tribute to them.

Michelle, 32, and Heather Whitbread, 53, were fatally wounded after they were shot in their home in Bexhill Road on Friday evening (16 March).

Their family said: "Heather and Michelle were both beautiful people that filled our family with laughter. They were both special, generous and kind people who loved life, but most of all their family. They will both be sorely missed leaving a gap that can never be filled. We now just wish to be left to grieve in private as a family."

Officers responded immediately to a report of the shooting at 7.43pm. Firearms officers were able to lead two other women, one of whom is pregnant, from the house to safety and they were taken to hospital. Both were uninjured but suffering from shock.

A 35-year-old man who was known to the victims was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into custody where he remains. A firearm has been recovered.

National Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) four-week campaign

Communities defeat terrorism. With the enduring terrorist threat, it is now more important than ever that everyone plays their part in tackling terrorism. Your actions could save lives. That’s why Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) is encouraging communities across the country to help the police tackle terrorism and save lives by reporting suspicious behaviour and activity. Like other criminals, terrorists need to plan. If you see or hear something unusual or suspicious trust your instincts and ACT by reporting it in confidence at https://act.campaign.gov.uk/ or, in an emergency, dial 999.

Some examples of suspicious activity or behaviour could potentially include:

· Hiring large vehicles or similar for no obvious reasons

· Buying or storing a large amount of chemicals, fertilisers or gas cylinders for no obvious reasons

· Taking notes or photos of security arrangements, or inspecting CCTV cameras in an unusual way

· Looking at extremist material, including on the so-called Dark Web, or sharing and creating content that promotes or glorifies terrorism.

· Someone receiving deliveries for unusual items bought online.

· Embracing or actively promoting hateful ideas or an extremist ideology.

· Possessing firearms or other weapons or showing an interest in obtaining them

· Holding passports or other documents in different names, for no obvious reasons

· Anyone who goes away travelling for long periods of time but is vague about where

· Someone carrying out suspicious or unusual bank transactions

You are not wasting our time, and no call or click will be ignored. What you tell us is treated in the strictest confidence and is thoroughly researched by experienced officers before, and if, any police action is taken. Any piece of information could be important, it is better to be safe and report. Remember, trust your instincts and ACT. Action Counters Terrorism

On 19th March 2018, a burglary occurred on Devonshire Place, in which nothing was stolen (Ref: 47180039843)

On 21st March 2018, a burglary occurred on Grange Road, in which cash was stolen from the property (Ref: 47180041344)

On 22nd March 2018, an attempted burglary occurred on Rosebery Avenue, Eastbourne, where someone attempted to gain access via a downstairs window, nothing was stolen from the property (Ref: 47180041368)