Police in Sussex, Surrey, Thames Valley and Kent are to work together to target cross-county burglars as the clocks go back.

For the first time, officers from each force will work together during a three-week burglary campaign to catch offenders and educate residents to try to prevent them from becoming victims.

Officers regularly liaise with colleagues across the region about individual offenders or crime gangs but in the past ran operations at different times of the year, meaning that burglars could simply switch their attention to homes across the border during the campaigns.

This year the new approach means that one campaign will stretch from Chichester in the west to Margate in the east and as far north as Milton Keynes – an area of more than 5,600 square miles and more than six million people.

A special information day for older people and those who care for them is being held by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

The aim is to help older people stay safe, confident and independent, with advice on benefits, fraud, security awareness, dealing with degenerative conditions and reducing the risk of fire in the home.

The event is being held at Crawley Library on Saturday 1st November from 10 o’clock in the morning.

There has been a spate of burglaries and car crimes in Horsham.

10 buildings and three vehicles have been broken into and had items stolen over the course of two weekends in Rudgwick.

An act of criminal damage and an attempted burglary are also being linked to the same offenders.

The first incidents occurred on 22nd September, with further crimes committed during the first week of October.

An anti-trafficking operation has been held at Gatwick Airport.

Officers from Sussex Police joined with UK Border Force on Saturday to meet passengers travelling on flights from Vietnam, Sweden, Latvia, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Norway.

The operation, which coincided with National Anti-Slavery Day, saw officers speak with passengers suspected of being trafficked as well those who came to meet them.

No victims were identified at the weekend however anyone thought to be at risk had their details recorded.

A motorist may have stopped a robbery in Maidenbower without realising it.

On Tuesday 7th October in the early hours of the morning, a confrontation occurred between seven men. Three young men were walking along Cavell Way when they were approached by four masked men, thought to be in their late teens.

They demanded the contents of the young men’s pockets. One was punched and kicked, suffering a fractured eye socket as well as cuts and bruising.

The robbery came to an end when the offenders were distracted by a passing vehicle.

Detectives would like to trace the driver.

If you can help please email 101@sussex.pnn. police.uk, or call 101, quoting serial 67 of 7/10. You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111