![](https://emergencyservicestimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ESS-Button-resized.png")
Police forces are using a range of approaches to raise awareness of issues and in Sussex, the communications team has developed a striking love hearts sweet design that is having great success in highlighting Clare’s Law, a police policy giving people the right to know if their partner has an abusive past.
The tragic murder of Sarah Everard in 2021 saw confidence in the police for women and girls at an all-time low. It prompted Sussex Police to launch an on-going conversation with local communities to listen and respond to their specific concerns about violence and harassment perpetrated against women and girls. To date, more than 3,500 people have had their say and helped direct both the operational and communications response.
The feedback has helped direct the force’s media and communications team to develop fresh tactics to reach as many women and girls as possible with key information about how they can report crime or find additional support.
More recently, an online and on street campaign to raise awareness of Clare’s Law – where individuals can request information from the police on whether their partner or ex-partner has a history of violence or abuse – resulted in the highest number of applications the force has seen.
One social media post, very simply setting out relationship red flags and sign-posting to Clare’s Law, reached over two million people, with content shared over 6,000 times – providing wider exposure for no additional cost.
“Year on year for the month of May Clare’s Law applications rose by a staggering 45% and this was directly attributable to digital marketing.
“Our team is now stepping up this campaign in December – which is the time of year which evidence shows more new relationships begin – with eye-catching out of home advertising in key, high footfall locations to target audiences most at risk or with lowest awareness.
“Professional and evidence-based communications that understand the subject matter and the audience achieves results. This provides an even better service for communities and, in this case, has helped empower women and girls to take control.”
Sophia Travis, Head of Strategic Communications, Sussex Police.
In addition, a digital marketing campaign to raise awareness and increase reports to StreetSafe, an online tool where people can report specific locations they feel unsafe, led to an additional 6,000 link clicks to the tool and doubled the awareness of StreetSafe (from 15% to 30% of respondents year on year), making Sussex Police the fourth highest ranking out of 43 forces for StreetSafe reports.
This has included the promotion of night-time patrols to identify and deter predatory behaviour, raise awareness of Night Safety Marshals – extra eyes and ears working alongside police – as well as developing dedicated campaigns on key crimes including domestic abuse, stalking and spiking.
This long-term approach has led to tangible outcomes leading to increased awareness and reporting.
To read similar articles, check out our Frontline channel.
