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

Suffolk Police recently hosted an event in with partners Felixstowe to officially launch Clear, Hold, Build, an initiative to tackle serious and organised crime.

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.

Following a partnership approach, it is designed to reduce serious and organised crime and the harm it causes in 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.

Clear, Hold, Build projects have been running across the country and initiatives have been shown to reduce crime and violence, improve partnership work and community relationships and also reduce anti-social behaviour. Similar projects will be initiated in identified areas across Suffolk in the future.

Inspector Matt Breeze said: “I am very pleased to be able launch this important initiative in Felixstowe. The event has been attended by representatives from various partner agencies, including the community of Felixstowe, who will all play a key role in building on the successes already seen around the country in other Clear, Hold, Build areas”.

“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, not solely via enforcement methods, but also working with partner agencies to ensure they get the help and support they need, then we should see a long-term sustainable approach to deter future offending.

“The police have already started to address this by carrying out warrants and patrols in the local community where we have been successful in removing drugs and the proceeds of crime from the streets. Several people have been arrested and charged, awaiting court hearings. 

“A key element has been protecting vulnerable young people to prevent them being drawn to crime or being exploited, working with East Suffolk Council, local schools, housing providers and social services, we have already safeguarded and protected people we consider to be at risk.

“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.”

The event at Felixstowe Town Hall, held on 23 May, included partners from East Suffolk Council as well as representatives from public, private, and voluntary sectors. Presentations around introducing Clear, Hold, Build and the Felixstowe project, were delivered by Inspector Matt Breeze, the Felixstowe Community Policing Team Inspector and Tactical Lead for Clear Hold Build in the town, as well as from Inspector Nicola Turner, who is the Clear, Hold, Build subject matter expert for the constabulary.

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. One of the workshops was to consider a project name and design a logo and this will be confirmed over coming weeks. One of the next stages of this project is to promote the Felixstowe project at a community event where local community members can attend, and details of this event will also be released in coming weeks.

Superintendent Richard Burton, Commander of the South Suffolk County Policing Command, 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.

“Police cannot achieve a Clear, Hold, Build project in silo and therefore a partnership approach is crucial in making this a success. Some great work is already happening, and it is about utilising this and ensuring new initiatives are considered to ensure we can all make the area a better place to live, work, visit, travel and invest.

“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 welcome this innovative partnership approach to community safety. Clear, Hold, Build brings together a whole community to tackle issues within a designated area and has proved successful in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and building community relationships elsewhere.

“Felixstowe is one of our most popular seaside towns and welcomes visitors from all over the country, so I am very pleased to see this additional focus in the area. It is particularly pleasing that the business community is fully involved.

“I wholeheartedly support the use of this approach in Felixstowe and will watch with interest to see how this helps improve the town and make it an even safer place for residents and visitors alike.”