Suffolk Constabulary and its partners have celebrated a year of success for Safer Neighbourhood Teams in West Suffolk, with a reception at the Athenaeum in Bury St Edmunds.

In 2007 teams were introduced across the county, bringing a major change to the way policing is delivered in Suffolk. Groups of police officers, staff and partners now work together based in the community, with the public having more of a say in how the police delivers its service. Each is a dedicated and accountable team owning a specific area of Suffolk.


Safer Neighbourhood Facts -

• Teams may vary in size – they could cover several parishes in a rural area, or just one part of a large town
• They have regular meetings where problems identified by the local community will be prioritised for action
• Street briefings are used as a way of meeting people at the scene of a problem to discuss concerns and agree a way forward
• Teams have their own websites to keep people informed about progress, and where people can highlight things they’d like dealt with

Since their launch last year, the teams across the west have tackled a number of issues, including –

• Diverting young people away from anti-social behaviour and criminal damage by setting up Parkour workshops in Newmarket with local youth workers and experts
• Clearing Havebury Housing garages on Haverhill’s estates, recovering property and giving residents somewhere safe and secure to park instead of clogging up the streets with vehicles
• Making the Springlands area of Sudbury a cleaner and more pleasant place to live, by hitting the streets with partners including Babergh District Council and Suffolk County Council for a Community Impact Day
• Diverting lorries away from the streets of Claydon, working with Suffolk County Council and Trading Standards to both educate drivers about suitable routes and deal with those who continue to drive through
• Educating off-road motorcyclists about where they can ride legally in Thetford Forest, with the help of the Forestry Commission and motorcycle clubs – and showing what can happen to the bike if they do break the law (it gets crushed!)
• Setting up an anti-purse theft scheme in a Bury supermarket, raising awareness of thefts and alarming wallets to stop thieves in their tracks
• Putting a 24 hour mobile police station on Stowmarket’s Recreation Ground, to reduce anti-social behaviour and speak to young people

Several Safer Neighbourhood Teams have taken their services direct to partners and sections of the community.

• In St Edmundsbury Rural North, members of the team regularly ride the library bus, visiting villages to find out about any concerns local people may have
• The Newmarket North Safer Neighbourhood Team holds a regular surgery at Newmarket Day Centre, with topics of interest to the older community
• The Haverhill teams have a base at Havebury Housing, and hold twice weekly surgeries there for tenants
• PCSO Simon Myall and PC Graham Haygreen of the Mid Suffolk West Safer Neighbourhood Team have an office at Thurston Community College’s Student Support Centre, where they meet with students every Thursday
• The Mildenhall, Bury Central and Mid Suffolk South teams are all based in local council offices (Forest Heath District Council in Mildenhall, St Edmundsbury Borough Council in Bury and Mid Suffolk District Council in Needham Market)

Safer Neighbourhood Team members have also been representing Suffolk Constabulary both nationally and internationally –

• PCSO Andre de Jongh of the Bury East team was runner-up in the PCSO of the Year category at a national industry awards ceremony in November – PC Jon Eaves of the Stowmarket North team was also nominated for PC of the Year
• PCSO Penny Molkenthin of the Sudbury team is currently in Australia as part of a group study exchange with Rotary International, she will return to the UK at the end of the month and embark on a Rotary Club tour to share her experiences

Each Safer Neighbourhood Team holds regular community engagement events to speak to the public and find out what issues are affecting them where they live and work. Teams meet with partners once a month to discuss these issues and identify priorities to work on together. Current priorities include –

• Tackling traffic issues such as parking and speeding
• Reducing criminal damage, youth nuisance and anti-social behaviour
• Rejuvenating parts of towns and villages
• Engagement with and reassurance for communities

Western Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Paul Marshall, says, “Safer Neighbourhood Teams have had a positive impact across the area since their inception in 2007. These dedicated teams have firmly embedded themselves in their communities, providing reassurance and a familiar, friendly face whilst getting to grips with local issues and concerns. Our partnership working has enabled key groups like housing associations, councils, youth workers and residents associations to come together to solve problems, with a joint approach ensuring the right agency for the job and a network of support.

“The teams have been able to tackle the things that matter to local people – through street briefings, public meetings and visits, the teams have been able to find out what really concerns a community and what changes and improvements would benefit them the most.

“Police Community Support Officers have been particularly well received in their new roles – whilst PCSO Andre de Jongh won a national award for his work in Bury, many others should also be recognised for their hard work in building up a great rapport with their communities. Members of the Special Constabulary and Roads Policing Unit have also been welcomed onto teams and play an important part in keeping west Suffolk safe.

“As Safer Neighbourhood Teams in the west enter their second year, we will be learning from the positive work they have already done and will continue to provide an outstanding service to our communities. The structure and staffing of teams will be reviewed to ensure each one can achieve its full potential.”