The Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Katy Bourne, will face scrutiny next week over the force’s use of AI-enabled surveillance and its strategy to combat violence against women and girls.
The Sussex Police and Crime Panel, a joint body responsible for overseeing the PCC’s work, has published the agenda for its upcoming public meeting scheduled for Friday, 9 October 2026. The session is set to begin at 10.30 am at County Hall in Lewes.
While the meeting takes place in East Sussex, the administrative heart of the panel is based in Chichester. The panel’s secretariat operates from West Sussex County Hall in Chichester, and the district is represented on the panel by Councillor Tracie Bangert of Chichester District Council.
AI Surveillance and Public Safety
One of the primary items for discussion is the force’s approach to AI-enabled surveillance. While the specific technical details of the reports have not been released ahead of the session, the panel is expected to examine how such technology is deployed across Sussex and what safeguards are in place regarding privacy and data usage.
The panel will also scrutinise the Commissioner’s role in Sussex Police’s ongoing work to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG). This remains a high-priority area for the force, and members will be looking for updates on the effectiveness of current initiatives and how the PCC is holding the Chief Constable to account for improvements in this area.
How to Watch and Participate
Members of the public are able to follow the proceedings as they happen. A live webcast will be broadcast starting at 10.30 am on the morning of the meeting. The panel operates under standing protocols that allow for public questions, provided they are submitted in advance according to official deadlines.
For those unable to attend the Lewes venue in person, the live stream and recorded archive of the meeting will be available through the Sussex Police and Crime Panel website.
The Sussex Police and Crime Panel is composed of representatives from each of the local authorities in Sussex, alongside independent members. Their statutory role is to provide a “check and balance” on the PCC, ensuring that the policing needs of communities—from Chichester to Hastings—are being met effectively.