The latest recorded crime data from the Office of National Statistics continues to be very good news for homes and businesses in Suffolk. Our county has the third lowest level of crime per person in England and Wales and is a testament to everyone involved in tackling and preventing crime.
That of course does not in any way provide reasons for taking a softer approach. Many of you will know the insidious approach of organised crime groups in some areas and the blight of anti-social behaviour can be worrying and problematic.
So what is to be done? The approach will not be the same nationwide, or even amongst various Suffolk communities, but one thing certainly required is a joint approach from all of us and across all sectors - private, public and voluntary organisations. We all have an important part to play since policing alone, whilst having a vital part to play, cannot solve these difficulties on its own.
The previous government’s uplift programme has funded an additional 202 police officers in Suffolk, many of whom are now completing their training. The current government has stated its intention to recruit a further 13,000 police personnel in the forthcoming four years, and in the first tranche the money will pay for another 17 additional officers. My frustration with this is the allocation is yet again based on the totally unfair and discriminatory funding formula. That said 17 is much better than nothing!
Over the last four years I have written about the Safer Streets initiative, which has benefitted various areas in the county with greater use of crime prevention technology, CCTV, easier reporting of crime plus increased visibility of uniformed officers. Last year the force received an extra £1 million for hot spot policing which delivered an intensive policing approach to pockets of crime and anti-social behaviour to good effect. There was a recent trial in Ipswich of facial recognition technology which has huge potential to remove criminals and thugs off our streets.
There is an initiative now being gradually spread out across the county in specific locations named, ‘Clear, Hold, Build’. I am excited about this because it links the whole of the community together for the greater good in those targeted areas. Whilst initially I was sceptical about this being a mandated Home Office requirement, it is one of those rare situations where a good degree of flexibility was permitted - as opposed to having a one size fits all approach which rarely succeeds in my view.
The initial focus of Clear Hold Build is strong police enforcement of law and order in a small area where there is evidence of problems such as gang violence, organised crime activity and intolerable levels of anti-social behaviour. The next ‘hold’ stage is to maintain the significant reduction in crime using various tactics such as greater visibility and surveillance – all of this supported by the affected community following extensive consultation and engagement before embarking on the ‘Build’ initiatives.
Very often the areas selected for Clear Hold Build have suffered over many years with high levels of deprivation, low educational achievement and little optimism about future prospects. I have always believed everyone has potential to succeed if only the opportunity presents itself, yet, sadly, in such situations too many people become trapped in a life of exploitation, criminality and despair. However, Clear Hold Build has the potential to turn matters around and this is where, as Police and Crime Commissioner I can and will help through our grants and commissioning work.
After an initial successful pilot in Lowestoft three years ago, the Clear Hold Build project in Felixstowe is working very well. The community focus is bringing results and the work of charities, such as Level 2, are delivering major benefits to many young people in the area. Level 2 and other organisations are supported by our grant funding via the PCC Crime and Disorder Reduction Fund. Time will tell, but I am looking forward to visiting the town and seeing for myself what can be achieved when we work together.
Other Clear Hold Build project has already started in Newmarket, and one is scheduled for Ipswich. During the next few years there will be more areas included and I am confident we will all benefit and continue to help make the county even safer and prosperous. Suffolk can be optimistic about its future!
Published in East Anglian Daily Times in April 2025