Rother District Council is sharing the following appeal from Nurdle regarding the theft of beach cleaning equipment used to support environmental clean-up operations along the coastline.

Nurdle, a non-profit environmental charity dedicated to protecting and cleaning our coastline, is appealing to the public for information following the theft of essential beach cleaning equipment in the early hours of Sunday 25 October.

At approximately 3:00am, offenders forced entry into secure shipping containers by cutting through them using heavy-duty power cutting tools. During the burglary, three quad bikes were stolen, including two brand-new Honda quad bikes generously donated to Nurdle by Honda, along with the charity’s own operational quad bike. A quantity of specialist tools and vital beach cleaning equipment were also taken.

Police are actively investigating the incident. Forensic examinations have been conducted, and officers have already reviewed extensive local CCTV footage and are pursuing several lines of enquiry. CCTV images indicate that the offenders fled the scene in a westerly direction towards Rye.

Anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area, has been offered any of the stolen equipment for sale, or has information about the whereabouts of the quad bikes or other stolen items is urged to contact the police immediately or notify the Rother District Council Coastal Office.

This theft has dealt a significant blow to Nurdle’s environmental work. The charity has been assisting Southern Water by providing specialist expertise and operational support in responding to the ongoing bio-bead pollution issue affecting Camber and the surrounding coastline.

Without this equipment, Nurdle’s ability to continue its crucial environmental clean-up operations has been severely impacted. Their work plays a vital role in removing pollution, protecting wildlife habitats, and helping to ensure local beaches remain clean, safe, and enjoyable for residents and visitors alike.

Community support is now more important than ever. Any information, no matter how small it may seem, could help recover the stolen equipment and enable Nurdle to resume its important work protecting our coastline.

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact Sussex Police or Rother District Council

Published: 27th October 2026