A top priority for Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) is a thriving town centre. One of the main concerns raised by the public is feeling safe in the town centre, and this is something that we are working on.

This is not something that IBC can do on its own and working with partners such as Ipswich Central, representing shops and businesses, and Suffolk Police are key. Help from homeless organisations, drug and alcohol treatment agencies and the justice system are also necessary.

It was good to meet and discuss these issues with Dame Diana Johnson, The Minister of State for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention. Jack Abbott MP needs to be congratulated for getting this visit, as there are 649 other constituencies in the country she could have visited. It’s important that the concerns of Ipswich people are heard at Westminster and Jack is making sure that they are.

Dame Diana had sessions with a variety of people at the Princes Street Police Station before heading into town. As well as police officers from constable to Chief Constable, Police and Crime Commissioner, Ipswich Central and IBC were able to share their experiences. The Police stated that crime statistics are down in Ipswich. However, they are worried that people won’t believe them, due to the perceptions about the town centre. It’s a great shame, as the Police are putting in a great shift in the town centre.

There was much discussion about the effective immunity for shoplifting of goods under £200, and how this needs to change, to remove the perception that those committing low value shop theft will escape punishment.
Lee Walker, Chief Executive Officer of Ipswich Central talked about their work with My Local Bobby, who provide a street security presence and are doing a great job tackling shoplifting. They are having an effect by working with shops, by being a visible presence and recovering stolen items to their rightful owners.

IBC is pleased to be using part of our Shared Prosperity Fund grant (SPF) to fund three Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in the town centre. PCSOs work with police officers and give a permanent, visible presence. They were praised by the Ipswich Superintendent for their effect in bringing down crime in the town centre.

As part of making people feel safer, Suffolk County Council (SCC) and IBC are working together to improve lighting on the Waterfront. I have seen workers in action and the new lights are expected to be operational in February.
After the discussions, Dame Diana walked to the town centre, where she visited Primark, TK Maxx and Ipswich Bazaar in the town centre. The main points raised were that there were different types of shoplifter, such as poor people stealing to eat, people stealing high value goods for profit and drug addicts. Also, the time to get thieves to court means that they can repeat offend for months.

Labour’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will put 13,000 additional police officers, PCSOs and special constables into neighbourhood roles, with guaranteed local patrols, to deter criminals and ensure people have someone to turn to when things go wrong

If you visit https://www.police.uk/ and type in your postcode, it will provide you with the names of the named officers in your area.

It was great to see the Policing Minister learn about Ipswich’s problems first hand. However, it’s local partnership work and hard graft that will make the difference. Those 13,000 additional police will be welcome too, as we strive to make the centre of Ipswich more welcoming.

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