Community links strengthened as new model beds in

“An optimistic and positive energy with more still to achieve.”

That’s the message from Chief Constable Rachel Kearton in national Neighbourhood Policing Week (w/c 22 January) as Suffolk Constabulary continues to strengthen community links with the local public.

Officers in Woodbridge Town centre

It is nearly two months since the launch of the force’s new policing model. The changes were made in response to the rising and changing demands to the service. The aim is to enhance the way the force engages with local communities, responds to emergencies, investigates crime and deals with other incidents that cause the public to make contact.

Sgt Matt Gilbert and PC Creeve in Ixworth

Integral to the new model are the new Community Policing Teams across the county with a total of 80 Community Policing Officers (CPOs) with the creation of 50 new Community Policing Areas (CPA). The officers are delivering neighbourhood policing using effective partnership working and a problem-solving approach to reduce crime.

Stowmarket councillors with Stowmarket Community Policing Team

As part of national Neighbourhood Policing Week (w/c 22 January) some inspectors in the Community Policing Teams are providing brief ‘piece to camera’ filmed updates to the public. These explain the work their teams have been doing to tackle crime, to problem solve, as well how they are engaging generally with their local communities. These can be viewed on our locally based police social media feeds of Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

Chief Constable Rachel Kearton said: “The visibility of our Community Policing Teams across the county has been well received and our community officers, PCSOs and voluntary teams have enjoyed the opportunity to be more engaged, visible, proactive and intrusive where we need to be.

“It is early days for us to fully understand the positive impact that the investment in community policing is having, but there is an optimistic energy about the improvements that have already started to be made. We will continue to monitor the changes and act quickly to resolve any issues should they arise.”

PCSO Anne Marie at Mildenhall Women’s Institute with Barclays Bank advising on fraud prevention advice

Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore, said: “In all my public engagement, a theme repeated across the county is the need for better accessibility to the Constabulary; this new neighbourhood policing model, introduced late last year has been designed to addresses this.  

“The new local policing model embeds more community police officers in their local area to understand community concerns and target activity where it is most needed.  It is early days, but communication and engagement with local residents and businesses is improving and, in turn, I am sure this will help increase public confidence and trust."

Sudbury officers at St Gregory’s school

Mr Passmore added: "The Chief Constable and I are united in our ambition to ensure to ensure Suffolk remains a safe place in which to live, work, travel and invest. I am confident this new model will help us achieve this ambition.”

On all of our social media channels local residents can keep themselves updated on the local work that is taking place. This includes proactive and reactive work and events and meetings the community police teams are regularly involved with. The ultimate aim is to educate, inform and explain how our officers are where people need them to be, when they are needed most and what they are doing.

The public can also read our external Constable’s County issued earlier this month on social media and on our website with updates from the three area County Policing Command superintendents on the positive work that has been taking place across the county since early December.

See pictures attached from the local Suffolk police social media feeds during January featuring some of the proactive engagement that has taken place across the county.

CPO PC Jarrett in Bentley

PC Harper at Stoke Park Asda in Ipswich

 

Officers at Leiston sports centre