Do you feel safe in the town centre? Statistically, crimes recorded in Alexandra ward, which includes the town centre, are down 32% on last year. However, we recognise there is still a fear of crime and a perception of safety in the town.
The Community Safety Partnership (CSP) is a group of public sector bodies which includes Ipswich Borough Council (IBC), Suffolk Police, Suffolk County Council (SCC), Health, Youth Offending Services, Probation and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Services.
The CSP, chaired by my colleague Councillor John Cook, works on the principle that no single agency can address all drivers of crime and antisocial behaviour, and that effective partnership working is vital to ensuring safer communities.
This multi-agency partnership takes a strategic but practical approach to reduce crime, substance misuse and anti-social behaviour. Among their priorities are theft, shoplifting and violence against women and girls.
IBC currently monitors over 500 CCTV cameras, which provide a deterrent, though their main use is to provide filmed evidence in court to ensure criminals are convicted.
IBC is also involved with Housing Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) cases, including taking complex cases to court as well as tackling local problems. Recent cases included engaging with the public at an Ipswich retail park after reports of young people causing ASB. This resulted in the Police speaking to the parents, which has resulted in a significant decrease in activity.
Illegal selling of vehicles, fly tipping and street drinking are being worked on in partnership with the Police. Another case is where residents have reported young children accessing a private owned site, causing ASB, noise nuisance and setting fires. Illegal dumping is also apparent. The team is working with the landowner and whilst fencing has been installed as a deterrent. In another local ASB case, kids are kicking footballs at residents’ cars. The ASB team is working with the local police team and photographic and video evidence has been obtained of those involved. The ASB team will be pursuing conversations with the children involved and their parents with the requested assistance of the police.
Nationally, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper recently introduced a raft of measures including brand new Respect Orders and action against shoplifting, as part of her flagship Crime and Policing Bill.
Respect Orders – promised in Labour’s 2024 manifesto – will enable swift enforcement against persistent antisocial behaviour offenders.
The Bill also includes action on shoplifting, including introducing a new offence of assaulting a retail worker. Labour will also scrap the Tory ‘shoplifter’s charter’, a law which deprioritised the theft of goods under £200.
Labour’s bill will also give the police new powers to enter premises without a warrant, enabling the police to search and seize stolen property swiftly which they believe is at an address.
The new measures will be supported by the government’s plan to recruit 13,000 additional police officers, PCSOs and special constables into neighbourhood policing roles over the course of this Parliament.
The people of Ipswich will wholeheartedly welcome the tough new action included in Labour’s bill. Whether it’s street drinking, harassment or vandalism on the high street.
IBC is pleased to be using central Government money 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.
The flagship Crime and Policing Bill is a vital step towards the safer streets promised in this Government’s Plan for Change. This will dovetail nicely with the work already underway in Ipswich to make the town a safer place.