Why it matters: The survey will ask residents what makes them feel unsafe and where, with responses broken down by age group, community and background to help councils decide where to focus resources.
The decision: The Suffolk Public Sector Leaders Group (SPSL) approved the spending at its meeting on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, as part of £400k in total investment split between the safety survey and economic growth initiatives.
The context: Home Office police recorded crime statistics show Suffolk recorded a crime rate of 57.4 offences per 1,000 population in the year ending March 2025, compared to the England average of 86.1 per 1,000 population. The county's rates are below the national average across most crime categories.
How it works: Between 5,000 and 7,000 people will be surveyed annually, starting in May 2026. A full evaluation will follow in April 2028, with an intervention fund introduced in 2027 to test practical responses based on the survey findings.
The other spending: The SPSL also approved £160k for a stand at a property investment trade show to promote Suffolk to developers. Ipswich first exhibited at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum in 2024, with all Suffolk councils collaborating on a stand that received more than 130 visitors in 2025. The funding will help prepare for a joint Norfolk and Suffolk stand at the 2026 event.
What they're saying: Councillor Matthew Hicks, leader of Suffolk County Council and chair of Suffolk Public Sector Leaders, said: "These investments reflect a clear ambition across Suffolk's councils to protect our communities and support our economic future. The perception survey will give us the robust, local data we need to target interventions where they will have the biggest impact."
The bottom line: Thousands of Suffolk residents will be surveyed on how safe they feel, with any interventions based on findings not starting until 2027 at the earliest.
