Next week brings one of the most enjoyable events on Suffolk’s calendar– the Suffolk Show. For me as your Police and Crime Commissioner it has a particularly powerful significance as it provides a golden opportunity for public engagement for two whole days. Engaging with residents and businesses is a fundamental part of my role since it provides the platform for listening to yourselves, a chance to tackle some issues head on and consider suggestions on how to improve policing and victims’ services across the county.
It is also a particularly friendly and sociable occasion, and during these rather gloomy and uncertain times nationally and globally, I am sure we could all do with a good dose of cheering up. What better way to do it! If you have never been to the show, or not visited for many years, I can absolutely guarantee there is something for everyone at Trinity Park. It is a tribute to The Suffolk Agricultural Association and its vast team of volunteers that I have witnessed over many years, the constant evolution and development of this highlight of the business and social calendar.
That said, the roots in Suffolk and East Anglia’s largest land-based industry – agriculture, remain very strong indeed. Suffolk Show is a real celebration of our countryside and farming industry and long may it continue. This year it is even more important bearing in mind the enormous challenges farming faces, not just from the vagaries of the weather (which nobody can control of course!), but also the vindictive and protracted assaults attributed directly to the government.
That’s why it is crucial that as Police and Crime Commissioner I do all I can to ensure our Constabulary does everything possible to prevent and solve rural crime, as well as bringing the criminals to justice. If you are planning to attend the show please drop by and visit the police stand which will be in the Blue Light area and share your thoughts. I will be there both days in the morning, and I will be spending some time on the NFU stand on the afternoon of the first day, and Countryside and Landowners Association (CLA) on the morning of the second day.
If you do get a chance to visit the show you’ll see the Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team new and impressive information and display unit for this year which I had an opportunity to see it at first hand when I was at last week’s Hadleigh Show.
I thoroughly enjoyed spending time at the Hadleigh Show in Saturday, which for me acts as a precursor to the much larger Suffolk Show. Feedback at Hadleigh was excellent, there was plenty of support for the Constabulary which is always pleasing to hear, but also anger and despair at the way the current government treats the countryside and the farming industry as a whole. This is multiplied by the continuing refusal of the Home Office to rectify the police funding formula – none of us who care about Suffolk’s future will remain silent on this injustice! Various ministers need to understand the countryside counts; it makes a huge contribution in many ways to the success of UK plc and tackling crime is essential and not an optional extra.
Summarising the various concerns raised at Hadleigh, the main topics were heritage crime especially the damage and theft from our churches, fly-tipping, theft of farm machinery and poaching. From the many conversations on the stand, it is crystal clear much more is done to prevent crime and catch criminals, making sure they are properly punished. It was also interesting to learn how technology’s advance could be very significant in helping to achieve that objective. Recently, I supported the Chamber of Commerce’s campaign for a roll out of 5G mobile network since this should be particularly helpful for rural homes and businesses. The transmission is much faster and has enormous capacity, providing instant real-time imaging and communication. I think this could revolutionise the county’s fight against crime.
Despite the ongoing and justified worry many countryside dwellers feel, these shows amply demonstrate the need to keep working together and not permit the urban elite’s views to prevail. Suffolk people are fair-minded and tolerant, and by nature, optimistic. During my twelve years as Police and Crime Commissioner I continue to experience this attitude in abundance.
Don’t forget to come along and see us if you are attending the Suffolk Show next week!
Published in East Anglian Daily Times in May 2025