The Coastal Crime Busters Keeping Bridlington Safe

Humberside Police are highlighting the vital work of two dedicated officers tackling seasonal challenges and drug-related crime on the coast of the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Humberside Police are highlighting the vital role response officers play in keeping coastal communities safe as part of Response Policing Week.

The focus has been placed on the work of two officers, Police Sergeant Ben Stanyon and Police Constable Mariusz Rusnarczyk, who operate in Bridlington in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

A spokesperson for Humberside Police said:

"The way our response officers protect and serve their communities will always vary depending on where they police, but their role remains essential everywhere: preserving life, safeguarding evidence, and identifying victims, suspects, and witnesses."

The force noted that policing coastal areas presents specific difficulties, particularly when officers might be a significant distance away from immediate backup.

The Humberside Police spokesperson added:

"In coastal towns like Bridlington, that role comes with unique and often seasonal challenges. As visitor numbers rise during the summer months, so too does demand, requiring officers to respond quickly and adapt to an ever changing environment."

Sergeant Ben Stanyon was born and raised in Bridlington and has built his career around serving his hometown. He began his journey as a Special Constable alongside his day-job as a train guard, before making the move into full-time policing and progressing to the rank of Police Sergeant.

Now leading a response team on the coast, his experience has been shaped by the unpredictable and fast-paced nature of policing a busy seaside resort. Over the past twelve months, Sergeant Stanyon and his team have strengthened their proactive strategies, collaborating closely with the Neighbourhood Policing Team to target criminal activity.

This proactive approach has included executing drugs warrants and deploying passive drugs dog operations to support the safe running of the local night-time economy.

Furthermore, targeted vehicle stops have been instrumental in arresting individuals involved in supplying drugs locally. This includes intercepting county lines activity, where offenders travel into the Bridlington area from other parts of the country. The team has also conducted a significant number of proactive traffic stops, successfully removing drivers under the influence of drink or drugs from the roads.

Despite this strong focus on prevention, the reactive demands of response policing remain a constant pressure. Officers routinely attend a diverse array of incidents during a single shift. These range from road traffic collisions and domestic incidents to public order situations and searches for missing or wanted people.

Sergeant Stanyon places a strong emphasis on the wellbeing of his team. He recognises that officers who feel supported are better equipped to protect the public, and he promotes a proactive mindset, encouraging officers to identify issues early and take action to prevent harm.

Joining him is Police Constable Mariusz Rusnarczyk, who became an established member of the Bridlington team in two thousand and twenty-two. Having previously studied Computer Science, he made a major career change to join the police force, bringing a fresh perspective and quickly gaining experience across a wide range of incidents.

Over the past year, Police Constable Rusnarczyk has developed a deep understanding of policing demand. His daily duties range from proactive work targeting drug-related crime to responding to incidents involving vulnerable individuals.

Humberside Police stated that communication, negotiation, and de-escalation skills are essential for resolving incidents safely and effectively on the coast. The role offers both challenge and reward, with each shift presenting new situations and opportunities to make a difference.

The force highlighted that response policing is increasingly recognised as a specialism in its own right, requiring adaptability, sound judgement, and strong communication skills to manage complex and high-pressure situations.

Response officers in Bridlington operate as part of a close-knit unit, working alongside Criminal Investigation Departments, neighbourhood teams, and specialist units to deliver a coordinated approach to tackling crime.

The Humberside Police spokesperson concluded:

"As Response Policing Week draws to a close, the work of officers like Ben and Mariusz highlights the skill, resilience and dedication required to police our communities."