Sizewell police team supporting community
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Suffolk police is continuing to work closely with the community in the Leiston area to ensure appropriate policing support is provided as the construction of Sizewell C continues.
The Community Policing Team (CPT) for Sizewell C is currently led by a sergeant and a one police constable. The number of dedicated resources for this team will increase further, as the build moves into the next stages, to reflect the likely demand that has been modelled for.
The team is a dedicated resource to support the local community, construction workforce and other stakeholders in and around the Sizewell C development. It has been working hard engaging with local residents, construction teams and councillors to respond to issues or concerns that have been raised, as well as signposting to other agencies where appropriate and attending regular community meetings.
(picture above and below show Sgt Rebecca O’Neill and PC Andrew Phillips)
A carefully coordinated roads policing provision is also in place to ensure the safe movement of large loads travelling to and from the site, as well as a focus on general road safety and, where appropriate, also conducting traffic offence enforcement.
For example, so far this year, police have been in attendance at seven community forums and will continue to have active presence in the community. In terms of abnormal indivisible loads (AIL*) from March until late June this year, the police have provided escort support to 367 loads.
The uplift required to support the policing element of the Sizewell C development has been secured through the planning process and paid for by the Sizewell C developer. The funding is for the purpose of mitigating potential impacts associated with the project so Suffolk Constabulary can maintain a business as usual approach to policing.
Inspector Liz Casey said: “We have regular representation at community forums and engagement events where we are listening to the concerns and issues raised by locals. Where appropriate, we will ensure they are acted upon, or alternatively signposted to the relevant agency. Of course, if local residents want to raise policing issues with us online, then this is also welcome.
“Additionally, our officers are also supporting, where appropriate, the safe transportation of large abnormal loads and we continue to be out and about on roads to ensure motorists abide by the law and that all road users are kept as safe as possible.
“We are making significant efforts to ensure we continue to police all our communities in east Suffolk effectively and keep them as safe as possible for all residents, workers, and businesses.
“This will continue over the coming months and years as the project progresses.”
Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk Tim Passmore said: “Now the final decision has been made on the development of Sizewell C, I am glad agreement has been made to fund in full the additional workload placed on Suffolk Constabulary.
“Irrespective of personal views this should deliver a very significant boost to our local economy if implemented as expected and we must do everything possible to work together whilst construction takes place.
“This increase in demand is initially focussed on roads policing so that the traffic remains as free flowing and safe as possible whilst minimising disruption for local businesses and residents.
“I also welcome the commitment to finance additional police resources as the workforce expands.”
Marjorie Barnes, Head of External Regional Affairs and Development at Sizewell C, said: “Our partnership with all public services ensures this is no impact on local communities. In fact, there’s a benefit to having additional resources in the area.
“We’re really pleased to have such a good working relationship with local teams that are now in place.”
People should report any issue online on our website suffolk.police.uk by going to the ‘Report something’ tile on the website. There is also a dedicated page given update on upcoming abnormal loads.
*AIL refer to loads that cannot be divided into smaller, more manageable parts for transportation without risking damage or incurring unreasonable costs.
Sizewell C Q&A
With the increase in population resulting from the Sizewell C Development, how will you seek to maintain the current levels of police service?
We have been planning for the policing of Sizewell C for several years, both locally and across the county, and this work will continue throughout the project. We have also learned from colleagues at Hinkley Point C, who have experience managing similar challenges during construction.
We have carefully assessed the potential demands on policing and are confident that our planning will help us address the concerns of our communities.
Policing is constantly evolving, and we regularly review how we deliver services. By engaging with our communities, we can adapt to meet their needs.
We have regular representation at community forums and engagement events, where we listen to concerns and act on them where appropriate—or signpost to the relevant agency. Residents can also raise policing issues with us online, and we welcome that feedback.
Our commitment is to maintain a visible, responsive, and fair policing service throughout the Sizewell C development.
How will the police manage any protests?
The police have a duty to strike the right balance between facilitating peaceful protest, keeping people safe, and minimising disruption to local communities and construction work.
We fully recognise that Sizewell C is an issue that provokes strong opinions. Everyone has the right to protest peacefully and within the law, and we will support that right.
Where behaviour crosses into breaking the law, we will take proportionate action. This may include arrests and, where appropriate, prosecutions.
Where possible, we will work with protest organisers and engage with local communities to ensure protests are managed safely and lawfully.
Will there be an increased police presence in the area throughout the construction of Sizewell C?
Yes. We have carried out detailed planning to determine what additional police resources will be needed during the construction of Sizewell C, ensuring there are adequate numbers of officers to manage any extra demand. This will be monitored closely as the project progresses.
To support this, Suffolk Constabulary has established a dedicated Community Policing Team (CPT) for Sizewell C. The size of this team has been carefully modelled to reflect the expected increase in workforce and the likely policing needs at each stage of the build.
This team’s role is to support the local community, the construction workforce, and other stakeholders in and around the Sizewell C development. They are actively engaging with residents, construction teams, and councillors responding to concerns, signposting to other agencies where appropriate, and attending regular community meetings.
Importantly, this dedicated team is funded through money secured by Suffolk Constabulary during the planning process, as agreed when Sizewell C sought planning permission. Since Sizewell C is majority funded by the UK Government, this policing resource is ultimately funded by the UK taxpayer.
How are you going to sustain adequate policing during the years it will take to build?
We have carried out extensive planning to ensure policing remains strong and responsive throughout the construction period. This includes assessing long-term resource needs and putting measures in place so that there is minimal impact on policing in Leiston and surrounding communities.
Our plans are designed to be flexible and will be regularly reviewed as the project progresses, so we can respond to any changes in demand. By working closely with local communities and partner agencies, we aim to maintain the high standards of service people expect.
Will other towns/villages lose policing resources by diverting officers to Leiston and the immediate surrounding area?
We have worked hard to secure dedicated funding for additional resources to meet the extra demand created by the Sizewell C development. This means we are not simply moving officers away from other communities.
Our commitment is to continue policing all towns and villages in East Suffolk effectively, keeping them safe for residents, workers, and businesses. We will monitor demand closely and adjust resources as needed to ensure that no community is disadvantaged.
Importantly, this funding was agreed during the Sizewell C planning process and is separate from existing local policing budgets, so it does not reduce the resources available to other areas.
Are you expecting a surge in anti-social behaviour and drink-related crime?
No. It would be unfair to suggest we are expecting a significant increase in crime or anti-social behaviour. However, we are prepared for the fact that larger numbers of people will be coming into the community as part of the Sizewell C construction workforce.
Our priority is to ensure that everyone can continue to enjoy the same quality of life in a safe, law-abiding environment. We will monitor the situation closely and take proactive steps to prevent issues before they arise, working with local communities, partner agencies, and the construction workforce to maintain safety and respect for all.
Will more drink/drug-driving checks be conducted?
Our officers will be out on Suffolk’s roads to ensure motorists comply with the law and that all road users are kept safe.
With the expected increase in traffic during the Sizewell C construction period, Suffolk Constabulary has secured funding for additional resources to strengthen our Roads Policing capacity. These extra resources will help us maintain road safety and allow us to carry out targeted enforcement, including drink and drug-driving checks, where necessary.
How are you going to prevent traffic jams and keep the road network flowing and what has been done to ensure the impact of the construction of Sizewell C on our roads is minimised?
We know that the construction of Sizewell C will bring greater volumes of traffic, and we have worked closely with partners to plan for this. Extensive research has been carried out to understand the potential impact on Suffolk’s Road network and how best to manage it during the short, medium, and long term.
Our approach includes:
- Traffic monitoring and enforcement of agreed routes for construction vehicles to reduce congestion and maintain safety.
- Coordination with Suffolk County Council Highways, which is responsible for road safety, maintenance, and improvement schemes.
- Funding secured through the planning process for additional roads policing resources.
These additional resources will allow us to:
- Safely manage the movement of large loads travelling to and from the site
- Maintain a strong focus on general road safety.
- Carry out targeted enforcement of traffic offences where necessary.
By working in partnership and using proactive measures, we will do everything possible to mitigate and minimise disruption, keeping the road network flowing and communities connected throughout the construction period.
We encourage the use of the Suffolk online reporting tool where there is a collision or traffic offence Making a road traffic incident report | Suffolk Constabulary. Road policing resources are allocated according to strategic demand.
There are details of local crime trends is available on the website too. Halesworth and Southwold | Police.uk (www.police.uk)
How much is policing the area around Sizewell C costing Suffolk Constabulary?
Our primary focus is on preparing to minimise any disruption or impact from the construction of Sizewell C over the next decade. To achieve this, we have engaged positively with Sizewell C throughout the planning process and secured funding through the Development Consent Order (DCO).
This funding covers the additional policing resources identified as necessary to manage the extra demand created by the Sizewell C development. Importantly, this means the cost of these additional resources is not being taken from Suffolk Constabulary’s existing policing budget, ensuring that other communities are not disadvantaged.
The funding arrangement is designed to ensure transparency and accountability, and costs will be reviewed regularly throughout the project.
Is Sizewell C paying towards the extra cost of policing?
Yes. We have engaged positively with Sizewell C through the planning process and secured funding through the Development Consent Order (DCO).
The additional policing resources required to support the Sizewell C development are funded by the developer. This funding is specifically intended to mitigate potential impacts associated with the project, allowing Suffolk Constabulary to maintain a business-as-usual approach to policing across the county.
It is important to note that Sizewell C is majority funded by the UK Government, so ultimately this funding comes from a combination of developer and government sources.
What are they doing at Sizewell C at the moment?
- You can ask at the Sizewell C Information Centre or look online at www.szcworktracker.co.uk