Police Authority News

Police and Crime Commissioners Seminar

Sarah Carter — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:41:55 +0100

Yesterday morning the Authority welcomed over 140 guests to its Partnership Seminar.

Representatives from local authorities, community safety partners, criminal justice bodies, health and well-being partners and voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations gathered at Police Headquarters in Martlesham to learn more about the major constitutional change in policing which will take place later this year when police authorities are abolished and replaced by Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).

The partnership seminar, led by Police Authority Chairman, Joanna Spicer, gave delegates the opportunity to find out more about the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Police and Crime Panel and explore the implications of the reforms for the police, partners and the people of Suffolk. In November, the public will elect an individual to be accountable for how crime is tackled in their police force area. The elections will take place on 15 November, with the new PCC taking up his/her role on 22 November 2012.

Delegates took part in discussion sessions to help identify the outstanding actions that need to be taken by the Suffolk Police Authority and its partners to prepare for the introduction of the PCC and influence plans to address current and future policing and community safety challenges.

Police Authority Chairman, Joanna Spicer, speaking after the event said, “This was an important event for us; an opportunity for the Police Authority to work directly with partners to prepare for the significant changes that the introduction of the Police and Crime Commissioner will inevitably bring.

“I was extremely impressed by the level of attendance; it shows that community organisations are keen to be fully prepared for the changes and understand their role within this new process.

“Once in place, the PCC will engage with partners to produce a Police and Crime Plan. The seminar provided an excellent opportunity for us to discuss how best to satisfy these requirements and how partners can influence future arrangements. We also explored future policing and community safety needs and priorities.”

She added, “We will continue to work with our partners to ensure that the transition to the PCC in November is smooth and successful.”

Speakers included David Ruffley MP, Amobi Modu, Head of the Home Office Community Safety Unit; Deborah Cadman, Chief Executive of Suffolk County Council and Simon Ash, Chief Constable of Suffolk Constabulary.

Police and Crime Commissioners - Is Suffolk Ready - Partnership Seminar - Briefing Note

Police and Crime Panels Briefing Note

PowerPoint Slides from the Seminar

Image Gallery

Performance Report and Financial Briefing

Sarah Carter — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:19:58 +0100

The Authority has today published a Performance Report for 2011/12 and Financial Briefing for 2012/13 which link to the Authority's Three-Year Plan.

All three publications can be accessed via our 'Documents' section or by the links below:

Performance Report 2011/12

Financial Briefing 2012/13

Three-Year Plan 2012-2015

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable appointed

Sarah Carter — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:10:40 +0100

Tim Newcomb joins Suffolk on a temporary basis from Essex Police, where he is serving as a Chief Superintendent.

Suffolk Police Authority has appointed Tim as Temporary Assistant Chief Constable to join the Constabulary’s chief officer team.

Tim is due to take his new post on June 4th. His appointment will be under a secondment agreement with Essex.

He will replace Paul Marshall, who is being promoted to temporary Deputy Chief Constable when Gary Kitching retires next month.

Police Authority Chairman Joanna Spicer said: “I am delighted to welcome Tim to Suffolk Constabulary. Tim brings with him a wealth of experience and will be a tremendous support at this time of many challenges. She added, “Tim knows the county well. He grew up and went to school in Sudbury and lives in the county, so I’m sure he will settle in very quickly”.

Chief Constable Simon Ash said: “I look forward to welcoming Tim to our team as we focus upon delivering a high quality service to the people of Suffolk whilst at the same time making the necessary cuts to our budget. These are challenging times for policing and Tim brings a breadth of experience to play his part in helping us keep Suffolk safe.”

Future policing priorities published

Sarah Carter — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:59:45 +0100

A detailed plan of policing priorities for Suffolk over the next year and beyond has been published.

The Suffolk Police Authority Three-Year Plan 2012-15 sets out our strategic priorities for policing and how, in the current financial climate, local resources will be managed to deliver the best possible policing service to our communities in Suffolk.

Click here to view the Suffolk Police Authority Three-Year Plan 2012-15 (and its supporting documents).

Partnership Seminar - details confirmed

Sarah Carter — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:54:08 +0100

Details of the Police and Crime Commissioners Seminar on 9 May have been confirmed and invitations sent to partners and business representatives.

The seminar will provide delegates with the opportunity to:

Learn more about the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Police and Crime Panel
Explore the implications of the reforms for the police, our partners and our communities
Identify the outstanding actions that need to be taken by Suffolk Police Authority and our partners to prepare for the introduction of a Police and Crime Commissioner in November this year
Influence plans to address current and future policing and community safety challenges

To find out more about the event click to view the invitation. This event is by invitation only - if you are interested in attending please contact us on (01473) 782774 or e-mail Sarah.Carter@suffolk.pnn.police.uk

You can also visit our Police and Crime Commissioners page to find out more background information.

2012/13 council tax decision

Sarah Carter — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:35:29 +0000

The Authority has today agreed its financial plan which will make multi-million pound savings while securing police officer numbers in the future.

Members agreed a revenue budget of £112.2 million for policing Suffolk in 2012/13.

To balance the books during the course of the year, the Constabulary will have to make more than £7 million in savings – part of an on-going four-year plan to 2014/15 to make cuts now estimated at £17.7 million.

Included in the budget is a council tax precept increase of 3.75% for the police’s part of the council tax. The increase was agreed unanimously after members considered and rejected an option to freeze council tax at last year’s level and accept a one-off government grant of £1.25 million for one year only.

Members heard from Chief Constable Simon Ash that if council tax were frozen in 2012/13, it would result in the loss of at least £1.6 million in funding in subsequent years because the government grant would be a one-off payment.

This would mean that Suffolk’s police officer numbers would remain below 1200 in the years ahead, which the Chief Constable warned would place significant strains on operational capability and quality of service.

However, the decision to support a precept increase will generate an extra £1.55 million in 2012/13 and set the Constabulary on a path which will re-build officer numbers from their current level of 1167 to more than 1200 over the next few years.

Police Authority Chair Joanna Spicer said: “Today’s budget and council tax decisions weren’t just about Suffolk’s policing service in the year ahead – but also putting safeguards in place for the future.

“The decisions were always going to be difficult. We have had to balance the need to continue along the path of making severe cuts while ensuring we maintain an efficient and effective policing service for local people.

“Thoughout our debates, we have been mindful of the financial pressures facing Suffolk’s council tax payers – and I know that today’s decision for a small increase may disappoint some people.

“However, it is important to understand that we were facing a stark choice – and we all agreed the importance of maintaining the long-term resilience of the Constabulary and its capability to provide a good quality policing service.”

The approval of the budget not only means the Constabulary can look to re-build its police officer numbers but also bring additional staff into the Force Operations Room to cope with additional demand in answering emergency calls from the public.

Today’s meeting also saw both the Constabulary’s savings plan and capital programme approved.

The savings plan is built largely around planned collaboration with Norfolk Constabulary, which involves the formation of joint units in areas including protective services and business support. It is anticipated that this will generate savings of more than £4.5 million in the year ahead.

The capital programme includes money to fund the on-going project to move officers and staff to Landmark House, in collaboration with Suffolk County Council, which will replace Ipswich Police Station, as well as finance for a new command and control system which will ensure the effective deployment of joint units operating across Suffolk and Norfolk.

There is also £2.45 million set aside in the capital programme over the next three years to provide new police bases in towns where ageing police stations, which are no longer fit-for-purpose, will be sold off to generate capital receipts estimated at £6.4 million.

The increase of 3.75% in the police’s part of the council tax means that the charge for a Band D property this year will be £166.77, an increase of £6.03 for the year.

Council tax increase considered

Sarah Carter — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:08:25 +0000

On 20 January Suffolk Police Authority agreed that setting a council tax precept increase is its preferred option.

The Authority debated next year’s budget at their meeting – and considered two council tax options for 2012/13.

The options are:

Option 1: freezing council tax at 2011/12 levels – and accepting a one-off government grant of £1.25 million for one year; or

Option 2: not accepting the government grant but increasing the policing element of the council tax by 3.75%, to generate £1.55 million.

After the debate, the Authority agreed by a majority to take both options forward for a final decision at its next meeting on February 20 – but with a preference for Option 2.

Several members made it clear that they were mindful and concerned at the financial pressures facing many of Suffolk’s council tax payers – and wanted to do everything possible to keep costs down.

During the meeting, members heard how the financial challenge facing the Constabulary had grown – with the total savings required over the four years from 2011/12 to 2014/15 increasing £13.6 million to more than £16 million.

Chief Constable Simon Ash set out how any decision made on council tax this year would have major implications for the future of policing in Suffolk – including the number of officers available to police the county.

The meeting heard that selecting Option 1 would result in at least £1.6 million less in funding in the years following – because the government grant would be a one-off payment and council tax income will be reduced as a result of the freeze.

This would result in the Constabulary’s strength falling below 1200 in the years ahead – a number which would place significant strains on its operational capability.

Police Authority Chairman Joanna Spicer said: “We have had very productive and thorough debate on the two council tax options.

“It became clear that there is a real concern about the future resourcing of policing in Suffolk, not just during 2012/13 but in the years that follow.”

“We know that our decision on council tax will have major implications for policing locally – and it was important that we had a thorough debate on the issue.

“We will continue to consult with local councils, organisations and communities to inform our decision-making on both the budget and council tax at our next meeting.”

Members will make final decisions about the budget and council tax at the Police Authority meeting on Monday, February 20.

Click to view the Service and Financial Plan 2012/16 Report - 20 January 2012.

Police and Crime Commissioners - Seminar 9 May

Sarah Carter — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:42:31 +0000

The Chairman of Suffolk Police Authority has circulated a news update for partners on the transition from police authorities to Police and Crime Commissioners.

News Update from Joanna Spicer, Chairman of Suffolk Police Authority

Transition from Police Authorities to Police and Crime Commissioners

Notice of a Police Reform Partnership Seminar to be held at Police Headquarters, Martlesham Heath on 9 May 2012

This is the first in a series of updates to inform Suffolk Police Authority partners, including the business community, of the changes that will be taking place this year (2012) as Police and Crime Commissioners replace existing Police Authorities.

Fundamental changes to the way policing will be governed in future is the main thrust of the Government’s Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 which was enacted in September.

Government believes that directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners – a single elected Commissioner for each force area - will provide stronger and more transparent accountability for the police service.

The election to choose a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Suffolk takes place on 15 November 2012 with the successful candidate taking up office a week later on 22 November 2012.

The PCC, in aiming to cut crime and delivering an effective and efficient police service, will have a number of key roles. This includes:

holding the Chief Constable to account, for policing the area;
setting and updating a Police and Crime Plan;
setting the Constabulary budget and the Council Tax precept;
representing and engaging with communities;
appointing, and where necessary, dismissing, the Chief Constable.

The PCC will be overseen by a new Police and Crime Panel (PCP). This Panel, which will be made up in the main of representatives from all the local authorities in Suffolk, is intended to be a ‘check and balance’ on the PCC.

As well as councillor members from each local authority there will also be two co-opted members on the PCP. In Suffolk this will mean establishing a joint committee comprising councillors drawn from the County and District Councils, and co-opted members. Local authorities are already progressing the necessary arrangements.

The PCP will have power amongst other things to:

scrutinise the activities of the PCC;
review the draft Police and Crime Plan and Annual Report;

and further, power to review and, if necessary, veto the PCC’s proposed precept levels and chief constable appointments.

Understanding the detail of the changes – Diary date for seminar – 9 May 2012

Suffolk Police Authority is working with the Constabulary to ensure a smooth and effective transition to the new arrangements and to this end a Transition Project Group of senior officers from the Authority and Constabulary under the oversight of senior members has been established.

The Authority is committed to keeping partners informed of progress and will be holding a seminar on 9 May, at Police Headquarters. Representatives of partners including local authorities, community safety and criminal justice agencies as well as local businesses will be invited.

There will be full opportunity to find out what is happening, to explore the emerging issues, ask questions and put forward your views. It is hoped as many partners as possible will be represented.

Please put a note in your diary for the morning of 9 May; further details of this key event will follow in due course.

Who can stand for election in Suffolk?

Candidates must be a British, Commonwealth or EU citizen, be 18 years old or over and be a resident of Suffolk.

There are some restrictions on candidacy as you might expect. They include conviction for an imprisonable offence, being a serving civil servant, judge, police officer, member of police staff or member of a police authority or member of the regular armed forces. There are full details on the Home Office website.

Further details about the election process will feature in a future bulletin.

Useful links for further information

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011

Home Office

Association of Police Authorities

Contact

If you have any further queries please contact Christopher Jackson, Chief Executive or Claire Swallow, Deputy Chief Executive at Suffolk Police Authority on email: christopher.jackson@suffolk.pnn.police.uk , claire.swallow@suffolk.pnn.police.uk; or by telephoning 01473 782777.

Authority faces tough decisions

Sarah Carter — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:32:06 +0000

Suffolk Police Authority will be considering next year’s budget for policing at its meeting next week (Friday, January 20) – including an option to increase council tax.

In a joint report from Chief Constable Simon Ash and Police Authority Treasurer Chris Bland, members will be told how the financial challenge facing the Constabulary has become greater over the last few months.

And they will hear that the decision made on council tax this year will have major implications for the future of policing in Suffolk – including the number of officers available to police the county.

The report sets out the latest savings plan for the Constabulary for the next four years.

It shows that the Constabulary has already cut £4.7 million over the last year, mostly generated through an ambitious programme of collaboration with Norfolk Constabulary.

However, it sets out how the total savings required over the four years from 2011/12 to 2014/15, has now increased from £13.6 million to more than £16 million, due to unforeseen national cost pressures.

The report will also set out two options for council tax in 2012/13. They are:

Option 1: freezing council tax at 2011/12 levels – and accepting a one-off government grant of £1.25 million for one year; or

Option 2: not accepting the government grant but increasing the policing element of the council tax by 3.75%, to generate £1.55 million.

Mr Ash will explain to members that, regardless of which option is chosen, the year ahead will be extremely challenging, with a series of operational commitments coinciding with cuts of more than £6 million.

However, Option 1 would result in at least £1.6 million less in funding in the years following – because the government grant is a one-off payment and council tax income will be reduced as a result of the freeze.

Mr Ash will tell members that he would have concerns if the Constabulary’s strength fell below 1200 officers.

Option 1 would result in officer numbers falling below that number.

However, Option 2 would enable the Constabulary to keep officer numbers above 1200 in the years ahead.

Police Authority Chairman Joanna Spicer said: “The budget setting process is particularly difficult this year, with significant pressures coming to bear on all sides.

“We recognise that these are difficult times for everyone – and want to do everything we can to keep costs down for council tax payers across the county.

“However, our role as an authority is to secure an efficient and effective policing service for Suffolk, which already has one of the lowest cost forces in the country.

“We need to get this balance right.

“No decisions will be made until we have thoroughly examined all the financial scenarios in detail.

“It is clear that our decisions over the next few weeks will have major implications for policing both today and in the years ahead.”

Members will make final decisions about the budget and council tax at the Police Authority meeting on Monday, February 20.

Click to view the Service and Financial Plan 2012/16 Report - 20 January 2012.

Successful Business Crime Forum

Sarah Carter — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:43:03 +0000

Around 100 people attended Suffolk Police Authority’s annual Business Crime Forum last night at Police Headquarters, Martlesham Heath.

Delegates heard from various speakers about the opportunities that London 2012 may present but also the threats that come with hosting such a global sporting event.

Adam Baker, Suffolk’s Project Manager for the 2012 Games said that the Olympic Games will provide business opportunities, not just as the torch travels through the county and the region, but at the evening celebration events that will conclude each day’s Torch journey.

The event also heard from senior police officers from the Olympic and Paralympic Policing Co-ordination Team, the Metropolitan Police and from Suffolk Constabulary about the preparations for policing the Olympics. Delegates were told that the Olympics could mean higher numbers of visitors to the county which would bring exciting opportunities. They were also warned that this would mean increased demands on our roads, parking and accommodation. Delegates were advised about what they could do to ensure their businesses continue to operate smoothly during the Games and how they can protect their businesses.

For the first time the Forum also included a crime prevention and security exhibition and this proved to be very popular with delegates.

The Olympics is coming to a place near you, are you ready? Click to view the key messages from the Olympic and Paralympic Policing Co-ordination Team..

Business/Voluntary Sector Survey. To have your say on policing in the county please click on the links below:

For Private Sector Businesses

For Non-Profit Organisations

Click to view the photo gallery.

Constabulary Chief Officer Team Changes

Glennis Dyes — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:31:46 +0100

Changes have been made to the Constabulary's Chief Officer Team.

These are set out below and are a consequence of the secondment of Jacqui Cheer, Suffolk’s Deputy Chief Constable, to take on the role of Acting Chief Constable of the Cleveland force.

Gary Kitching, Assistant Chief Constable (Protective Services, Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies) has been appointed as acting Deputy Chief Constable to temporarily replace the Deputy Chief Constable.
Charlie Hall, Assistant Chief Constable (Collaboration Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies) will take over the role temporarily vacated by Gary Kitching, i.e. Assistant Chief Constable (Protective Services, Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies).
Sarah Hamlin (Chief Superintendent, Norfolk) will take over the role vacated by Charlie Hall on a temporary basis i.e. Assistant Chief Constable (Collaboration Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies).

The appointments have been approved by Norfolk and Suffolk Police Authorities and the Home Office.

Prostitution & Sexual Exploitation Strategy

Sarah Carter — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:00:10 +0100

On 21 October the new multi-agency countywide Prostitution & Sexual Exploitation Strategy was adopted.

This follows on from the highly successful Ipswich Prostitution Strategy 2007-2012 aimed at on-street prostitution and takes account of off-street sexual exploitation and prostitution.

Click to view the Report and Strategy.

Statement of accounts published

Sarah Carter — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:22:37 +0100

The Authority's 2010/11 accounts and Annual Governance Statement have been approved by the Monitoring and Audit Committee.

The Authority has a statutory duty to:

a) prepare a Statement of Accounts each year;

b) approve that statement by resolution of the Authority or by a Committee of the Authority by no later than 30 September;

c) ensure that the statement is signed and dated by the Chair of the meeting at which it is approved;

d) publish the accounts by not later than 30 September.

Those duties have been delegated to the Monitoring and Audit Committee by the Authority.

At its meeting on 23 September 2011 the Committee supported the approval of the Suffolk Police Authority Statement of Accounts 2010/11. To view the Accounts please visit our documents section.

The Account and Audit Regulations 2011 removed the requirement for the Authority's Annual Governance Statement to be included within the Accounts but the Statement was also considered at the Committee meeting, has been updated and can be accessed in our documents section.

Annual governance report issued

Sarah Carter — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:09:52 +0100

The Audit Commission has issued its Annual Governance Report 2010/11.

The Report provides an unqualified audit opinion and concluded that the Authority has proper arrangements in place to secure value for money.

The Annual Governance Report 2010/11 can be view in our documents section.

Police Authority decisions

Sarah Carter — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:02:24 +0100

On 9 September the Authority made decisions in relation to a number of important matters including local policing, retirement of police officers of pensionable age and a Volunteer Police Cadet Scheme.

Members supported the steps in hand to introduce a revised local policing model by 1 February 2012. While providing savings through reductions in management levels, the model will ensure that the number of police officers and police community support officers working in local communities will be maintained.

The need to make savings is also reflected in the Authority's support for the implementation of Regulation A19. This mechanism can be used to compulsorily retire officers who have reached 30 years pensionable service.

A volunteer police cadet scheme aimed at 13 to 16 year olds was also supported which will be piloted in the Kesgrave, Martlesham, Felixstowe and Woodbridge areas. A second unit for Ipswich is planned in the new year.

Click to view the Police Authority reports.

Domestic burglary and call handling improving

Sarah Carter — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:51:25 +0100

At the Authority meeting on 9 September better news emerged on domestic burglary and call handling.

The Authority's Performance Management Group considered the Constabulary's performance in June and had reported its concern that domestic burglary and call handling performance were graded as 'red'. The Constabulary reported that performance had now improved and by the end of August the upward trend in domestic burglary had been reversed with a 4.4% reduction, while detections had been increased. Similarly, performance in terms of call handling had been improved with 999 calls being answered within 10 seconds on 95% of occasions.

Members were pleased to learn that overall crime was down with 744 less offences for the period to 4 September when compared to the same period last year.

Click to view the Performance Management Report.

Papers now available

Glennis Dyes — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:22:32 +0100

The papers for the meeting on 9 September are now available on this website.

In addition to the items previously listed in the (news item dated of 24 August 2011), the finalised agenda includes a report on the Implementation of Regulation A19 of the Police Pensions Regulations 1987 provides a mechanism to reduce police officer number through the compulsory retirement of officers who have reached 30 years pensionable service.

Access the papers, agenda and past meeting minutes.

Next Police Authority meeting

Glennis Dyes — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:07:20 +0100

The Authority's next meeting will be held on Friday 9 September starting at 9:30 am.

Matters that are due to be discussed include:

The Suffolk Local Policing Model - Details of the Constabulary's new structure;

Performance - Review of the Constabulary's Performance data for the first part of the year and proposals for monitoring of Protective Services;

Children and Young People - Update on the Constabulary's work with children and young people.

Members of the public are welcome to come along to the meeting. It will include a 15 minute slot for public questions.

To find out more details about the location of the meeting view our events calendar.

'Exemplary' savings plans

Sarah Carter — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:04:44 +0100

Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC) has praised joint Norfolk and Suffolk plans to deliver savings of £38 million.

HMIC recently inspected the plans in Norfolk and Suffolk to deliver this combined total over the next four years. The plans developed by Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies in close association with their Police Authorities place much emphasis on collaborative working to save money and to re-engineer working practices. Both forces aim to further reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

The HMIC said "The Norfolk and Suffolk collaboration proposals are some of the most ambitious and well-planned in the country." HMIC went on to describe the change plan that Norfolk and Suffolk have in place as "exemplary".

Joanna Spicer said "Suffolk was already a low-cost police service which means that our challenge to make savings is all the more greater. Working closely with Norfolk provides one solution to making savings for both counties by the sharing of resources and expertise. Our priority is to protect visible frontline policing."

Stephen Bett, chairman of Norfolk Police Authority, commented; "The reports are positive for Norfolk and Suffolk and they highlight the innovative approach being taken to meet the financial challenges and also protect our communities. The road to realising savings is a long one but these reports are encouraging."

Both Chief Constables say that by working increasingly closely, the people of Suffolk and Norfolk will be able to enjoy a policing style that is right for our times - flexible, affordable and sustainable.

Simon Ash, Chief Constable of Suffolk, said: “It’s pleasing that our work is being recognised nationally and that we are clearly on the right tracks.

“Working collaboratively increases our opportunities to work differently and make efficiency savings.

“Yes, there will be fewer officers and staff in both Norfolk and Suffolk but by re-engineering the way we deliver services, we will be minimising the effects of a reduced workforce.

“No-one should underestimate how tough it is to make such significant savings and aim to continually reduce the chances of the public being victims either of crime or anti-social behaviour,” he said.

Phil Gormley, Chief Constable of Norfolk, said: “The model being developed in our counties is ambitious but do-able. We are making great strides in delivering shared services across operational policing and back office functions.

“Sharing business support such as ICT, human resources, finance and administration will save us £9.8million with joint policing and criminal justice units saving millions more.

“Ultimately, we are working to preserve, as far as possible, local policing services and the visible frontline that reassures the public.

Both Mr Ash and Mr Gormley paid tribute to the dedication and commitment of everyone delivering the change programme and who are ‘going the extra mile’ to minimise the impact of what is happening in the service on local people.

More information can be found in the HMIC report. Read more

Latest survey results

Sarah Carter — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:32:11 +0100

Majority of Suffolk's residents feel safe.

The latest results from a public survey show that a large proportion of people in Suffolk feel safe in the area they live.

Recent survey results show that 92.3% of those questioned feel ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ safe where they live (results for the rolling 12-month period to 31st March 2011). This figure has now remained at over 90% for the past year.

These figures echo the results of the most recent national British Crime Survey (BCS), which revealed that Suffolk residents’ perception of anti-social behaviour (ASB) is the second lowest in England and Wales according to the most recent survey (to December 2010).

Suffolk Police Authority and Suffolk Constabulary consult with members of the public through a variety of means all year round, and the results of all consultation and engagement activities are used towards determining local priorities and force priorities for policing. Consultation enables them to assess levels of public confidence and satisfaction with the services they are providing, to identify areas of concern, and to understand the issues facing local residents.

Overall police performance continues to remain high, with 70.3% of those surveyed agreeing that the police are dealing with the things that matter to people in their community. Likewise, 66.5% of those surveyed ‘strongly’ or ‘tend to’ agree that the police and the local councils are dealing with the ASB and crime issues that matter in there area. This is a slight increase from last quarter’s figures.

56.1% of those surveyed agreed that the police and local councils seek people’s views on ASB and crime issues that matter in their area, and work is continuing to help improve on this figure. In Mid Suffolk for example, Mid Suffolk Connect was held in March, which was a multi-agency event between police, Mid Suffolk District Council and other partner agencies aimed at bringing communities and agencies together to gain a better understanding of local communities and the issues that matter to them. Thousands of people engaged with police and partners as part of this, through SNT visits, speed checks, seminars and public engagements.

The survey also provides an understanding of whether people feel they are kept informed about how police and councils are dealing with crime and ASB. Across the county, 58.3% state that they feel well informed, but Ipswich has been highlighted as an area of concern, with only 50.8% stating this to be the case. Operations such as the ‘Street a Week’ initiative, which was carried out by Ipswich South West SNT in Allenby Road, Ipswich, help to address this. The initiative, held on the 31^st March involved PCSOs visiting homes and asking residents about their feelings of safety and any issues of concern they felt should be addressed by police. These events will continue to be held by SNTs across the county.

SNT Community Newsletters continue to be produced on a quarterly basis and are regularly reviewed to improve their success at letting local areas know what their local team is doing in their area and how people can get in contact. Newsletters are available directly from local SNTs or can be downloaded at the Safer Suffolk website .

As part of the surveys, members of the public are asked their opinion over what areas they think Suffolk Police should focus their attention on. In a shift from last quarter’s figures, which highlighted ASB to be the top priority for residents, this quarter’s figures found speeding and traffic offences to be the highest concern, with 72.4% stating that this should be a medium or high priority. Every April, the Constabulary takes part in a week-long European enforcement campaign to tackle this, and this April saw over 1500 motorists caught speeding as part of dedicated checks. Throughout the year, SNTs work with local communities to set up Community Speedwatch initiatives, allowing local residents to pro-actively tackle this problem. Currently, approximately 20 Speedwatch projects are in place around the county, involving over 60 parishes and 300 volunteers.

Across the county, 63% of those surveyed felt that vehicle-related crime should be a high or medium priority and dedicated work has been undertaken to address this. Across West Suffolk, drivers of trucks and vans have had the chance to have their catalytic convertors marked following an increase in this type of theft from vehicles. Marking sessions were held by the Constabulary to help ensure that any convertors stolen in these crimes can be traced back to their rightful owners.

Tackling ASB remains a high priority for the Constabulary, with 70.1% of those surveyed stating that tackling ASB should be a high or medium priority for the police. Following significant dedicated work to tackle this area, this figure has decreased for the third quarter in a row, with 73.1% of those surveyed in the rolling 12 month period to December 2010 sharing this view, and 75.1% in the period to September 2010.

The survey allows for the evaluation of the specific concerns of communities in relation to ASB, by district and countywide. Along with information obtained at regular public community meetings, these figures are then used to highlight areas to be targeted by SNTs and other police resources. Countywide, figures show that members of the public view the biggest ASB problem to be rubbish or litter lying around in public places, with 22.3% of those surveyed stating it is a fairly or very big problem. Multi-agency initiatives are held across the county to address this and SNTs work to find ways of responding to these priorities, as highlighted by members of the public. In Babergh, where 24% of those surveyed viewed this as a problem, Babergh East SNT held a litter pick in April, to clean up the areas around the recreation ground in School Street, Stoke by Nayland. Likewise in St Edmundsbury, St Edmundsbury Rural South SNT held a litter pick in Great Bradley in April.

20.3% of those surveyed felt that teenagers hanging around on the streets was a key ASB issue and this is continually addressed through our own pro-active campaigns and work with partner agencies to provide positive activities and education for young people. During this year’s Easter holidays for example, Ipswich South West SNT held a ‘999 Bootcamp’ for 11-16 year-olds, running four days of free activities such as fitness tests, BBQs, careers advice and team events. In Haverhill, police launched the ‘What’s Your Child up to this Easter in Haverhill’ campaign, urging parents to be responsible for their children during the Easter holidays and into the summer, following persistent reports of ASB.

These surveys are carried out as part of Suffolk Police Authority and Suffolk Constabulary’s continual programme of public engagement. They are keen to hear the views of members of the public on a range of issues, and the surveys allow them to understand concerns, and to measure perceptions around crime and disorder. It is also an important way of understanding how well the public feel that the police are performing, whether they are happy with the service provided and whether they feel they are kept well informed about the work of the police.

Full survey results can be found here: Results

We also consult with members of our ‘Virtual Policing Community’ on a range of issues throughout the year. If you would like to sign up to this service and play an active role in shaping the policing in your county, please click the following for more details: Virtual Policing Community.

*Full details of SNT priorities can be found on the SNT websites at the Safer Suffolk website.