Clear, Hold, Build – Home Office initiative to tackle drugs, violence and anti-social behaviour in Felixstowe progresses

An event was held recently to mark the next stage in an initiative to tackle crime and disorder in Felixstowe.

Suffolk Constabulary and East Suffolk Council hosted the latest Clear, Hold, Build meeting at Felixstowe Town Hall on 12 November alongside key stakeholders, marking the completion of the first round of 'clear' activity and the beginning of the first 'hold' phase. The initiative for the town is called Future Felixstowe.

Clear, Hold, Build is a three-phase initiative developed by the Home Office that uses a problem solving and evidence-based approach to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and the underpinning causes of criminality within a bounded geographical area.

Taking a partnership approach, it is designed to reduce serious and organised crime and the harm it causes within communities. The approach brings together the public, private and voluntary sectors and puts the community at the centre of the response. It ensures a unified and joint approach to make the community safer.

CLEAR – targeted activity and crime disruption.

HOLD – stabilising the area to stop criminals moving in to fill the void.

BUILD – community-driven action to address the causes of criminality and prevent it from happening again.

The Future Felixstowe project brings together key members of communities, local government, public and private sector and aims to utilise pre-existing funding in a more joint approach, targeting specific areas.

Inspector Ben Richards said: “It was great to see the enthusiasm and commitment from across the community as we enter the 'hold' phase. The involvement of the Felixstowe Town Council, Level 2 Youth Project, East Suffolk Council and Felixstowe Academy, to name a few, has ensured that we have excellent representation throughout the Felixstowe community.

“Felixstowe has been chosen as we have seen the effects that a small number of criminals have had on the wider community, through anti-social behaviour, violence and the supply of drugs.

“By focusing our efforts on dealing with these criminals we have seen a significant reduction over the last 12 months.

“Overall, we have executed multiple search warrants, seized more than £15,000 in cash and arrested 45 individuals. 

“The future focus of ‘clear’ activity is now being reassessed, but as we move into ‘hold’ we will be protecting and diverting the most vulnerable within the town in addition to scoping environmental improvements which will make the town hostile to further criminal activity.

“Felixstowe, like the rest of Suffolk, is a safe place to live and bring up children but by working with the community and building on the work already undertaken by partners and community groups, we can enhance this safety and positivity.”

As well as those previously mentioned, the event at the town hall included representatives from public, private, and voluntary sectors. Presentations around progress of the Future Felixstowe project were delivered by Inspector Ben Richards and Anita Humphrey of East Suffolk Council’s Communities Team.

Attendees took part in various workshops, sharing knowledge of the area and current initiatives already in place, as well as contributing new ideas. The participants offered their commitment to working together on the longer-term aim of building a safer Felixstowe.

This culminated in the formation of three distinct project groups which will be looking at the following areas:

1 – Diversion activity and provision for young people across the town

2 – Environmental improvements and CCTV upgrades

3 – Progression of a Level 2 Youth Project premises in the area of Beach street

All three projects will be chaired or attended by a Felixstowe town councillor and will be underpinned by an exploitation education programme provided by Suffolk County Council.

Superintendent Andrew Martin, Commander of the South Suffolk County Policing Command, opening the event said: “This event gave us a great opportunity to highlight the benefits of Clear, Hold, Build and both inform partners but also ensure an environment was created where ideas were shared and allow for partnership collaboration.

“I am looking forward to myself and my team working closely with the local authority, business owners, community members and the public to have a true impact on crime that affects many residents on a daily basis.”

Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: “I have worked with the Level 2 project for several years and have recently awarded a further Crime Disorder and Reduction Grant to support the exciting new development of their base in Beach Street.

“This support for our young people is absolutely fundamental to this project and I trust the bureaucratic impediments to progress will be resolved as a matter of urgency.

“I am really looking forward to working with everyone involved to ensure this fresh approach is a great success for Felixstowe and the surrounding area.”

Councillor Lee Reeves, Chair of the East Suffolk Community Safety Partnership said: “East Suffolk Council is working with the police, town council and other local partners to make it harder for criminals to target Felixstowe for their activities.

“We want to ensure that young people, in particular, understand the risks of involvement in anti-social and criminal behaviour and have a range of positive activities to engage in.”