19th September 2024 – Jack Abbott MP statement on Police Connects meeting

On 19th September, in a response to my letter dated 30th August, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk and the Chief Constable agreed to host a Police Connects meeting in Ipswich.

I wrote to the Police and Crime Commissioner on 30th August to ask for such a meeting, saying that “these events are important opportunities for the public to engage with policing in Suffolk at the highest level, and it is crucial that as many voices as possible are able to provide their insights so the force can better understand the challenges facing people in their day-to-day lives, as well as reflecting on the areas of success.

My letter added that “despite being Suffolk’s largest town by some distance, there is a perception that Ipswich is sometimes treated as an afterthought. With that in mind, I believe that omitting our town from these meetings would be a mistake at a time when we need to be fostering positive relationships and providing reassurance to residents.

“I would, therefore, urge the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable to add an additional date in the centre of Ipswich, as has been done in the past.”

It is welcome that this oversight - where Suffolk's county town has been omitted from the list of locations - has been rectified following my representations.