Shining a light on coastal crime busters in Bridlington

In coastal towns such as Bridlington, an officer’s 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.

A spokesperson said: “As part of Response Policing Week, we’re highlighting the work of Police Sergeant Ben Stanyon and Police Constable Mariusz Rusnarczyk, and the vital role response officers play in keeping coastal communities safe.”

Sergeant Ben Stanyon

Born and raised in Bridlington, Ben has built his policing career around serving the town he calls home.

After starting as a Special Constable alongside his day-job as a train guard, he made the move into full time policing and progressed into the role of a Police Sergeant, leading a response team on the coast. His experience has been shaped by the fast-paced and unpredictable nature of response policing, particularly in a busy seaside town.

Over the past year, Ben and his team have strengthened their proactive approach, working closely with the Neighbourhood Policing Team to target criminal activity. This has included executing drugs warrants and carrying out passive drugs dog operations to support the safe running of the night-time economy.

Targeted vehicle stops have also played a key role, resulting in arrests of individuals involved in supplying drugs locally, including those linked to county lines activity entering the area from other parts of the country. Alongside this, the team has carried out a significant number of proactive traffic stops, removing drivers under the influence of drink or drugs from the roads.

Despite this focus on prevention, the reactive element of the role remains constant. Officers routinely attend a wide range of incidents, from road traffic collisions, domestic incidents, searching for missing and wanted people, to public order situations – often within the same shift.

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

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

PC Mariusz Rusnarczyk

Since joining the team in 2022, Mariusz has developed significantly in his role and is now an established member of Bridlington’s response policing team.

Having previously studied Computer Science, he made a major career change to join policing, bringing a fresh perspective and quickly gaining experience across a wide range of incidents.

Over the past year, his understanding of demand and the complexities of policing has grown, supported by the variety of situations response officers face daily. From proactive work targeting drug-related crime to responding to incidents involving vulnerable individuals, the role has provided continuous opportunities to learn and develop.

Policing in a coastal area presents its own challenges, particularly when officers may be some distance from immediate backup. As a result, communication, negotiation, and de-escalation skills are essential in resolving incidents safely and effectively.

The role offers both challenge and reward, with each shift presenting new situations and opportunities to make a difference. Supporting people in difficult circumstances, protecting vulnerable individuals, and responding to emergencies all form part of the day-to-day reality of response policing.

Response officers in Bridlington operate as part of a close knit team, working alongside neighbourhood policing teams, CID, and specialist units to deliver a coordinated approach to tackling crime.

Their work over the past year highlights the breadth of the role, from proactive operations targeting drug supply and drink and drug driving, to responding to incidents as they happen.