Recent Events
These are some of the call-outs and training events we have been involved with.
A good number of our members became Steward Volunteers during the pandemic: collectively those Steward Volunteers have contributed over 11,000 hours to the NHS across the county’s vaccination centres.
10 February
Our first safety sweep for 2022. Our team were searching parks and public places in Brighton with Sussex Police and we recovered a number of items.
Three days in February – March
A very healthy number of our searchers passed a certificated First Aid course run by Sussex Police.
5 March
We had a large search exercise named Operation Sluggs Eye (one of the places where it was held, if you were wondering) working with our friends from Sussex 4x4 Response. More than 50 people were involved and the exercise covered a number of scenarios and tutorials. Invited guests included the High Sheriffs of East and West Sussex, the Assistant Chief Constable of Sussex Police, police staff and a member of Sussex Search and Rescue.
11 March
East Sussex Fire Brigade ran a multi-agency flood water exercise in which some of our members role-played parts in and around Lewes.
22 April
Undertook a search for a missing man at Chanctonbury Ring.
May
Four safety sweeps as part of the ongoing Operation Sceptre, the national campaign raising awareness of knife crime and the dangers of carrying knives. Click here for more information about this operation in Sussex. We also searched for a high-risk missing person in Ashdown Forest.
20-22 June
Deployed for two full and hot days in Camberley, assisting Surrey Police with Operation Hillcrest, searching for a number of items. The team had just finished their briefing on the third day and were about to start the search when an urgent call for help came from Sussex Police, as a vulnerable young man was missing. The team arrived at Forest Row and began searching. The misper was found shortly afterwards by police officers.
17 January
Searched seafront and related areas between Shoreham and Rottingdean for Gareth Jones and his dog Connie. We had 19 searchers respond to this call-out. Sadly, Gareth and Connie had been swept out to sea. Their bodies were later recovered.
5 February
Trying to establish a missing person’s whereabouts, we worked with PCSOs looking for CCTV cameras on the outside of properties in Eastbourne along possible routes she might have taken.
March
Another month of safety sweeps.
Seventeen members took part with Sussex Police in safety sweeps of a number of Brighton and Hove parks.
A safety sweep of parks in Worthing was carried out by SCST and police officers accompanied by the High Sheriff of West Sussex, Dr Timothy Fooks. The High Sheriff witnessed the recovery of a knife.
While on safety sweeps of parks in Brighton, our escorting Police Sergeant spotted a wanted person and was able to arrange his arrest!
The last of our sweeps that week took place in parks in Eastbourne.
14 May
We undertook a search of the Goring Gap and the seafront between East Ferring and Worthing Pier for a missing person. Thankfully she was found safe.
20 May
Allocated the Bury sector, we assisted in the search for a missing male. He was found the next day and is said to be in safe hands.
11 June
Safety sweep of 10 parks in Brighton.
29 June
Call-out for a missing 86 year old in Eastbourne, and a search was made of the seafront and parks. The body was found in the early evening.
22 July
A safety sweep was made of 3 parks in Worthing.
10 August
Another safety sweep, this time of 10 parks in Brighton.
7 September
Newick and Barcombe were the sites of safety sweeps that day.
17 September
Called out to search for a missing 86 year old in the Shipley area last seen the day before.
On arrival, the search team was pleased to be informed by police the missing person had just been located and was safe.
24 September
Two safety sweeps carried of parks in Bognor Regis and Eastbourne.
11 October
SCST held its first AGM in 28 months due to the pandemic. It took place at the Shoreham Centre with 44 persons attending.
19 October
Safety sweep carried out in various Brighton parks.
28 October
Lewes and Ringmer safety sweeps.
9 November
Searched for missing person at Bury Hill, near Arundel. This involved Sussex Police, Sussex Search and Rescue, Search Dogs Sussex and ourselves. Sadly the man was found deceased.
November
Again as part of Operation Sceptre, over two days safety sweeps were conducted in Brighton and Bexhill.
5 December
A call-out for a missing person in Hastings, again a combined operation with Sussex Police and SusSAR. A male was subsequently charged with two murders.