This election is what is best for policing and crime prevention in Suffolk. I will always put the interests of our county before anything else regardless of politics.

Supporting business and in particular the private sector is essential for economic growth and wealth generation. The country is struggling under a sea of debt, so I pledge to support businesses – large or small. This will be a major component of the next Suffolk Police and crime Plan.

There is a strong correlation between poverty and lack of opportunity and increased levels of crime, addition, abuse and anti-social behaviour. There must not be any ambivalence towards crime at any time. Equally, whilst offenders need punishing, individuals do deserve a proper second chance to redeem themselves and business can certainly assist here.

We must also remember that businesses are victims of crime and crime costs us all. It must not be tolerated in Suffolk.

The overall budget for policing in the current year is £183.2 million and I will continue to make sure every penny is properly spent. This includes better major project investment and greater transparency and openness. The audit committee for both internal and external audit has a crucial role in helping me hold the force to account and delivering value for money for the taxpayer.

Fraud

I will establish a dedicated Suffolk fraud unit with links to other enforcement agencies such as Trading Standards. Preventing and combatting this crime needs to be taken far more seriously locally and nationally and properly resourced.

Procurement

Some good progress has been made in making sure Suffolk business benefits from our expenditure on goods and services. This has considerable potential to be increased by raising the level of social value as part of tendering and contract processes. I am totally committed to this process – Suffolk’s interests must be a top priority. A great opportunity for self-help using taxpayers’ money.

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Rural Crime

As in the main manifesto the focus on rural business crime needs further development so I will expand the current rural wildlife and heritage crime team. As chairman of the National Rural Crime Network, I am committed to delivering the network’s 10-point action plan following the acclaimed report into the effects of organised crime groups in the countryside. The damage caused by illegal fly-tipping needs a far more vigorous and tough response including deterrent sentencing for offenders.

Suffolk has one of the highest levels of firearms ownership nationally. The licensing team is run jointly with Norfolk Police and must have sufficient capacity to issue and renew firearms licenses in a timely way. An independent oversight group can assist with making sure standards are maintained without compromising public safety. Organisations with specific expertise will be invited to take part such as the British Association for Shooting and Conservation.

Border Control and Port Security

Our county has a long and vulnerable coastline and is home to the largest national container port in Felixstowe as well as the major ports of Lowestoft and Ipswich. There are also many smaller ports and marinas which can act as a conduit for illegal immigration and organised crime groups such as the illegal
drugs trade. Border Force needs to take this issue much more seriously in Suffolk and it is time the Home Office recognised this. Biosecurity is another weakness to be addressed.

Plant Machinery and Vehicle Theft

Theft of items such as GPS kits, agricultural machinery and construction equipment can be ruinous for too many of Suffolk’s businesses. NaVCIS (National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service) have had some excellent results at Port of Felixstowe for identifying stolen machinery and high value vehicles. Whilst not a Suffolk funded policing body it has a vital role to combat organised crime groups locally and nationally. The organisation is woefully under-resourced and this needs to be prioritised by the Home Office.

Roads Policing

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Free flowing traffic is vital for Suffolk Businesses. Having a well-equipped and properly resourced roads and armed response capability will never be compromised whilst I am PCC. I am 100% committed to supporting campaigns for the A14, A12 and A11 improvements. National Highways provide very little traffic officer support for Suffolk because none of our roads are motorways. This is unacceptable and the Department of Transport needs to change this short-sighted approach.

Increased patrols will help reduce issues such as fuel theft and lorry-jacking. The new Commercial Vehicle Unit is delivering excellent results and the multi- agency days of action are fundamental to removing criminality from our roads and can be expanded into other areas countywide. I will also ensure the vehicle fleet is fit for purpose.

Orwell Crossing Closures

Having successfully campaigned for a variable speed limit on the Orwell Crossing the delays and closures are significantly reduced, but it is still not enough. Suicide prevention schemes are under discussion for example which I hope will add further improvements.

Freeport East, Sizewell C and USAF Military Base Expansion

These significant inward investment projects will provide a major stimulus to our local economy. Adequate policing resources will be provided and are already being planned to ensure their safe and successful conclusion. Serious and Organised Crime

The threat in Suffolk is currently quite low but we cannot be complacent. The role of the National Crime Agency and Eastern Region Special Operations Unit makes powerful contribution to crime reduction in Suffolk. Threats from County Lines and Gangs are ever present and strong local policing units
complement this work. Establishing dedicated teams to combat the drugs trade in particular is desirable.

Investment in Technology and Cyber Crime Unit

Increasing the coverage of ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) will help keep Suffolk safe. Body worn video cameras, digital forensics, robotic data extraction, DNA evidence have all made huge contributions in keeping crime levels low. Nearly all crime has a digital footprint and investment in our cyber unit will be maintained.

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I see no reason why WhatsApp technology cannot be used more widely and expect the Police Digital Service to work with private sector bodies to progress this.

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Town Centre Management and Retail Crime

Apart from our major towns Suffolk has many delightful market towns which all need policing. PCSOs have a crucial role in providing public confidence and reassurance. Numbers of PCSOs will be maintained and directly funded PCSOs are to be encouraged along the successful initiatives in place such as Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Lowestoft.

Shop lifting is theft and is not to be tolerated in any circumstance. Thieves must be caught and prosecuted. Developing more town centre policing teams similar to the successful Kestrel teams will be delivered.

Offences against retail staff is totally unacceptable. Offenders need to be prosecuted and punished accordingly – a top priority.

Relationships with Business Improvement Districts are strong and particularly helpful, especially for small businesses. Looking at easier ways to report crime will be examined along with colleagues from the BIDs – for small self-employed and independent retailers the reporting procedure is time consuming and cumbersome and must be changed.

Days of action to act as a strong deterrent will help town centre security building on successful multi agency initiatives.

Partnerships and Joint Ventures

Tackling business crime involves all of us so partnership working is critical whilst progress can be frustrating. Using the powers of duty to co-operate more can be done to improve results. Joint ventures between business and policing / private sector organisations will be seriously considered for future
projects where appropriate so the expertise of the private sector can be harnessed appropriately.

The new Digitech Centre, Adastral Park and the importance of evidence through academic research can really help progress crime reduction and prevention initiatives and is to be encouraged. Even greater use of their collective capabilities can provide exciting future opportunities.

Policing Protests

Whilst I support the right to protest it is unacceptable (and sometime dangerous) for protests to disrupt or intimidate people going about their lawful daily business. Suffolk police must ensure this happens and will have my full support.

Business Engagement and Communication

The major Control Room investment is now paying dividends. The speed to respond to calls received during the last six months has witnessed a transformation in the level of service with Suffolk now ranked 7th out of 43 forces.

Listening to the voices of business is fundamental. I will continue to engage with business groups whenever possible and act on your ideas and concerns accordingly.

The current re-design of the communication team needs to ensure there is sufficient capacity so external communication is proactive and employs new channels and innovative techniques.

Good and effective communication remains an absolute priority.

The Estate and Environmental Impact

Better use of scarce natural resources and reducing environmental impact (including carbon footprint) is another key component of the next Police and Crime Plan.

The aspiration to reduce carbon footprint is progressing well. However, operational effectiveness and efficiency cannot be compromised in our emergency service so a pragmatic approach will be taken. Considerable changes will be needed to our estate and for the vehicle fleet electrification may well be very beneficial, but we should not ignore hybridisation or hydrogen technology. Recent developments by JCB are encouraging and Hydrogen East could be a significant player. Running pilot projects will be considered - rural policing requirements are very different from urban areas.
 

The built estate needs continual investment and improvement following detailed assessment on what is required. There will be a new built estate strategy which will deliver facilities that are fit for purpose for the next 25 years or so.