Ipswich – update on period of intensified activity

A period of intensified enforcement and activity by officers in Ipswich to target serious crime and violence has seen 59 arrests made, with drugs seizures and dangerous weapons removed from the streets.

Utilising resources from across the county and working with partner agencies, there has been an increased focus on county lines and related youth gang violence since late September.

Between 23 September and 25 October there were 59 arrests. This includes 33 occasions where ‘drug offence’, was listed as the most serious crime (if there was more than one offence per arrest) and nine occasions where ‘violence offence’ was listed as the most serious offence*.

In this period six people have been convicted while a further eight people have been charged and remanded.

A total of 23 warrants were executed, with 104 cuckoo checks carried out. Cuckooing is a practice where people take over a person's home and use the property to facilitate exploitation and/or criminal activity.

Weapons seized include knives, an axe, a knuckle duster and a crossbow.

Recent activity following disorder in Ipswich on 28 October saw 10 people arrested on suspicion of violent disorder between 28-31 October. 

Superintendent Andy Martin said: “This period of activity has brought some excellent results in terms of arrests, charges and seizures.

“We know that the majority of crime takes place between individuals and groups known to each other who look to prosper through criminal activity and think little of the impact on others when their violence takes place on our streets.

“The number of arrests, disruption to drug dealing lines and the location of dangerous weapons should rightly be seen as a positive, and forms part of our continued efforts to make Ipswich a hostile place for those responsible.

“This period of activity was set up to build on the successes already seen in the town in the past two years.”

In the southern policing area, which includes Ipswich, violence involving knife crime has reduced by 27% (non-injury) and 28.2% (with injury) from April 2023-March 2024 in comparison to the previous year.

The figures for violence, where knives are not involved, have also dropped in the south, with a 6.5% drop for incidents involving injury and an 8.2% reduction where there was no injury reported.  

Supt Martin added: “We are under no illusions that violent crime or drug dealing has gone away, or that we can afford to take our foot off the pedal and that is why periods of increased activity such as this are so important.

“We will continue to do all we can to keep our communities safe, protect people from serious harm and prevent crime. 

“Our communities continue to play a vital role as we look to tackle those who look to spoil our county town. I must thank all of you that have supported us. This includes those saying simply saying hello to our officers who have been out and about in increased numbers in and around the town, and to those that have provided vital information.

“We cannot do this alone, and your information, no matter how small, helps us build a picture to ultimately ensure Ipswich is a safer place for us all.

“I must also thank all those that have assisted this operation within the constabulary and from our partner forces and agencies. This operation has required support from a large number of officers and staff from across the county in uniform, investigative and specialist roles.

“As a result of the combined efforts of the constabulary, the community and our partners, additional pressure has been placed on criminal gangs and individuals who bring violence on to our streets, exploit vulnerable people and seek to profit from crime, preying on the misery of others.

“Drug lines have been seized, weapons located and individuals arrested and charged. The message is clear, you are not welcome here and we will do all we can to identify, locate, arrest and prosecute you.”

As part of the period of action, an operation has been taking place alongside colleagues from the Metropolitan Police to target those involved in drug supply between Ipswich and Suffolk and the capital.

Involving officers from a number of units within Suffolk, including the constabulary’s Sentinel, Scorpion and Serious Crime Disruption teams, the operation saw 20 arrests made with 32 charges authorised and 16 drug lines disrupted.

Supt Martin added: “The work with our partner forces and support agencies is a vital part of continued success.

“Whether sharing intelligence, checking on vulnerable people who are targeted and exploited by these groups, or signposting support services to those in need, making arrests is just one part of the work we are doing to detect and ultimately prevent crime.” 

Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I fully support this dynamic, targeted approach being deployed in our county town and very pleased to see such positive results.

“I hope this pro-active enforcement sends out a clear message that criminals are not welcome in Suffolk.

“As I’ve said many times before, the constabulary cannot deal with these issues alone – so I am very pleased to see this multi-agency approach.”

If you suspect drug, gang or criminal activity is taking place in your area you can report this via the website www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/report-something/report-crime, call 101, or alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers to report anonymously – either online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.

In an emergency you should always call 999.

 

*The arrests may have included multiple offences - the figures show the most serious offence per arrest.