Operation Columbus has swung into action in Hastings and Rother again this year. The operation, aimed at tackling offences committed against overseas students visiting Hastings and Bexhill will run until September 30. It started on April 1, 2001.
The operation will be both proactive and investigative and is designed to create a safe environment for young overseas visitors who contribute a substantial income to the town. Dedicated teams of uniformed and plain clothes officers will be working on the operation throughout the next few months.
Chief Inspector Nick Wilkinson, head of operations, said:
This is another tactic we will use to drive down crime and catch criminals - we want to make them feel uncomfortable. This is a prime example of our commitment to working in partnership with local authorities and other agencies, recognising the importance of making Hastings and other parts of the Senlac division a pleasant place to visit. Officers will be focused on hot spot areas and the operation is flexible enough to react to whatever is presented.
One Hastings woman who targeted overseas students was sentenced in April to four years imprisonment. The woman - dubbed ‘girl ringleader of student bashers’ by the local press - was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court. She pleaded guilty to five counts of robbery on students last summer after unique work by Hastings police.
As the victims had returned to their homes in Germany, police arranged with the British Embassy in Berlin to travel to Germany and show them a videoed identification parade.
Robinson was identified by students from the video. This was the first time for Sussex Police that a video identification has been tried in another country.
Robinson was charged last August with four robberies and an attempted robbery. She was given three and a half years for the offences and another six months for breaking an earlier 12 month conditional discharge.
Recorder David Howker said he hoped the sentence would deter others from robbing students.
DC Jon Stainsby, who led the investigation, said:
The end result was a direct reflection of the effort from the whole Columbus team. If those that target students think we won’t pursue cases because the victims have gone home, they should think again. We hope this sentence sends out a message to them that targeting students will be dealt with very seriously.
Any information concerning attacks on students can be passed to the operations co-ordinator, PC Mick Groombridge at Hastings Police Station: Tel: 0845 60 70 999, ex 60233.
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Each year Hastings & St Leonards attracts 40,000 overseas students to the town bringing in an estimated £30m to the local economy.
The town has an excellent network of host families, all of whom do an important job in welcoming them and making them feel at home. It is vital that we continue this allegiance - most students come because Hastings is a famous name overseas and the town appeals to them because of what it has to offer in terms of attractions and because of the high standard of our language schools. However, damaging stories about crime against the students could affect the industry and influence them to go other places such as Bournemouth, Eastbourne and Cambridge.
The students visit the town year round, although more come in the summer. The majority are European although some come from Japan, Brazil and even Columbia and Saudi Arabia.
Councillor Trevor Webb, Cabinet Member responsible for Community Safety & Quality of Life, said:
It is vital that we continue to attract students here. The majority of them hear about Hastings through word of mouth and reputation, but we are fighting a battle with the few who decide to commit a crime against them – be it abuse, theft or aggression. We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour and the Council along with the Police and the language schools are working together to try and combat this.
Overseas students are a vital part of our economy and should be treated as such - we want to welcome them, make sure that they get the best out of their stay here and go back to their own homes feeling that they have had a fantastic time and singing the praises of our town.
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This page last updated: 12/07/2001