2 August 2016 Meet the PCC and Chief to discuss local policing Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore is staging his next series of public meetings across the county throughout the autumn and is encouraging Suffolk residents to make a note in their diaries. This year, rather than staging a meeting in each of the district and borough areas, the PCC and Chief Constable will host a meeting in each of the 18 Safer Neighbourhood areas. The meetings are an opportunity for the public to ask questions of the Commissioner and the Chief Constable and to find out more about policing in the county. Tim Passmore said: “Having direct contact with the people of Suffolk that I represent is extremely important to me. “This year we are reflecting the new SNT make-up and staging meetings tailored directly to the needs of our local policing areas. The major review of local policing identified 18 SNT areas and we are increasing our meeting programme to reflect this. “Public engagement is hugely important in this role and I make myself available to anyone who needs to speak to me through one-to-one surgeries and directly via e-mail and on the phone, but it is equally important to have these bigger meetings where people can question me in a more open forum. “I do hope people will accept this invite to come and find out more about policing. Gareth and I will be pleased to discuss any matter that arises. “I have set up a meeting in each SNT to make it as easy as possible for people to attend and I am hoping for an open and frank two-way dialogue, so please spread the word as I really want to encourage a good crowd.” Chief Constable Gareth Wilson said: “These meetings give you the opportunity to come along and talk to us about issues of concern, to raise policing matters and to find out more about the work officers are undertaking locally. “The Constabulary has seen a great deal of organisational change in recent months as we have worked to ensure we provide the right service for today’s demand. It is really important that whilst this continues, we listen to the people we serve so that their priorities are addressed and concerns understood. We would invite anyone interested in the future of policing in the county to come along to speak to us.” Each meeting will involve a quick overview from Tim Passmore and Gareth Wilson and then the public will have an opportunity to ask questions. There will be a senior police officer, responsible for policing in the local area, to add operational context. All meetings start at 6.30pm and there is no need to book. Meetings will be held at: Felixstowe: Tuesday 6 September, Town Hall Council Chamber, Felixstowe IP11 2AG; Ipswich: Monday 19 September, Nansen Road Baptist Church Hall, Ipswich IP3 9HN; Stowmarket: Tuesday 20 September, Cedars Hotel, Needham Road, Stowmarket IP14 2AJ; Mildenhall: Wednesday 21 September, Parish Council Pavilion, Recreation Way, Mildenhall IP28 7HG; Haverhill: Monday 10 October, Samuel Ward Academy, Chalkstone Way, CB9 0LD; Ipswich Central: Tuesday 11 October, Suffolk New College, Rope Walk, Ipswich IP4 1LT; Ipswich West: Monday 17 October, Landmark House, 4 Egerton Road, Ipswich IP1 5PF; Brandon: Tuesday 18 October, Brandon House Hotel, 79 High St, Brandon IP27 0AX; Bury St Edmunds: Wednesday 19 October, Moreton Hall Community Club, Symonds Road, IP32 7EE; Woodbridge: Monday 7 November, Woodbridge Town Football Club , Fynn Road IP12 4DA; Halesworth: Tuesday 8 November, Holton Village Hall, Lodge Road, Holton IP19 8RZ; Beccles: Wednesday 9 November, Bear & Bells (Pub), 11 Old Market, Beccles NR34 9AP; Eye: Thursday 17 November, Eye Community Centre, Magdalen Street, EYE IP23 7AJ; Hadleigh: Monday 21 November, Hadleigh Town Hall, The Guildhall, Hadleigh IP7 5DN; Sudbury: Thursday 24 November, Sudbury Town Hall, Old Market Place, Sudbury CO101TL; Leiston: Tuesday 29 November, Leiston Community Centre, King Georges Ave IP16 4JX; Lowestoft: Thursday 1 December, The Kirkley Centre, 154 London Road South, NR33 0AZ; Newmarket: Tuesday 6 December, Severals Sports Pavilion, Bury Road, Newmarket CB8 7BT.