Sussex Police has deployed a new all-terrain vehicle to conduct patrols along Brighton’s waterfront.
The force announced that the ATV forms part of ongoing work to enhance public safety, discourage criminal activity and maintain a greater police visibility, with particular focus on evening and overnight periods.
Chief Inspector Dan Hiles stated that Brighton seafront attracts millions of visitors annually, and the objective is to ensure all visitors feel secure.
The vehicle represents an additional resource for officers working to reduce offences along the waterfront.
It supplements measures already operating in the area, such as drone technology and live facial recognition systems, alongside partnership activity with external agencies.
The vehicle will assist officers during Freshers’ Week and Spiking Awareness Week throughout September.
The ATV features blue lights, an intensified search spotlight and powerful LED illumination.
According to Sussex Police, the lighting configuration enables officers to detect and respond swiftly to incidents, particularly those affecting vulnerable members of the community.
The force indicated that the enhanced lighting permits patrols across darker stretches of the beach, reducing opportunities for offenders to remain concealed or carry out attacks without detection.
Adam Hays, divisional commander for Brighton, explained that the introduction of the ATV enables patrols to extend further across the sand, illuminating zones where offenders may previously have believed they could operate undetected, and allowing rapid response when residents or visitors require assistance.
He noted that individuals considering criminal activity on Brighton seafront should anticipate being observed, expect a police response and anticipate enforcement action.
Officers will focus on individuals presenting a threat to public safety, with increased attention during high-traffic periods on the waterfront.