Will the police continue to provide emergency and 24-hour response?

Yes, emergency and 24-hour response remains a priority for Suffolk Constabulary. This will be provided by the Neighbourhood Response Teams as well as the officers in the Safer Neighbourhood Teams. 

What is a Safer Neighbourhood Team?
A dedicated team made up of police officers, police community support officers, special constables, volunteers and other organisations. It is being proposed that council workers such as community wardens will also be involved. They will all be working together with local people in their neighbourhood to improve their quality of life.
 

What is a neighbourhood?

In urban areas, a neighbourhood may be a small area of a town. In rural areas, a neighbourhood may cover a number of parishes. The neighbourhoods have been created in consultation with local councils, and take into account levels of police demand, resources and ward boundaries.

Why have Safer Neighbourhood Teams been created?

The Government promised all local communities would have a local Safer Neighbourhood Team by 2008. These teams will address issues affecting quality of life and feelings of safety.

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How do I find out who is on my local Safer Neighbourhood Team?

By summer 2007 you will be able to access details about your team by visiting your local Safer Neighbourhood Team website. You will also be able to find out about the other organisations working with the team, such as the district and borough councils and the county council.

To see if your team’s website is live, please click on the following: Team Sites 

If your local team website is not yet available, please contact Suffolk Constabulary on 01473 613500, where someone will be able to help you.

How do I get in touch with my Safer Neighbourhood Team and when will they be available?
Each Safer Neighbourhood team will have its own website by summer 2007, where you will be able to find your local team’s address, contact details and opening hours.

To see if your team site is live, please click on the following link: Team Sites 

If your local team website is not yet available, please contact Suffolk Constabulary on 01473 613500, where someone will be able to help you.

What is the role of the police in the Safer Neighbourhood Team?
Safer Neighbourhood Teams will be staffed largely by sergeants, constables, police community support officers, specials and volunteers.

They will be working with other team members such as youth workers, housing associations and anti-social behaviour co-ordinators to identify and tackle problems which have been raised by the local community.

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What is a police community support officer?

Police community support officers have some police powers, which are mainly focused on promoting community safety and stopping anti-social behaviour. They are not police officers but will deal with ‘low-level’ crime and anti-social behaviour.

What is a community warden?

Community wardens are members of staff from councils and other public organisations who have regular face-to-face contact with the local community. They may be environmental health officers, fire officers, youth workers or social workers, for example. They will be able to pass on any concerns from the local community to the Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

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How can I find out about the local priorities and problems being addressed in my area?

You can contact Suffolk Constabulary on (01473) 613500 and ask to speak to your local Safer Neighbourhood Team. Safer Neighbourhood Teams will also hold public forums where you can hear about what the team is working on.

How do I report a problem?

You can report a specific problem, including noise nuisance, abandoned cars, fly tipping, and problems relating to dogs by using our ‘report a problem’ form. To access the online reporting form, please click on the following: Report a problem

If you use this facility, your report will be passed to the appropriate team member, which will not always be the police.

How do I get involved?

It is vital people work with their local Safer Neighbourhood team to improve the quality of life in their area. It is your opportunity to influence the service provided by police and other organisations.

Safer Neighbourhood Teams give you the opportunity to get actively involved in improving the quality of life in your neighbourhood. Depending on where you live, you could:

• become a volunteer;
• attend your local Safer Neighbourhood Team meetings;
• tell your Safer Neighbourhood Team what your concerns are; and
• join or set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in your area.

How do I become a volunteer?

Contact your local team in the first instance to find out about any current vacancies.

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