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Suffolk drug seizures fall despite national record haul

News
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Suffolk has seen a 7% decrease in drug seizures despite national figures hitting a record high, new data reveals.

Why it matters: The drop in Suffolk contrasts sharply with the national picture. Drug seizures nationally have reached record levels, with Border Force and police across England and Wales seizing over 119 tonnes of illegal drugs worth £3 billion.

By the numbers:

  • 3,716 drug seizures in Suffolk, down 7% from last year

  • 217,644 total seizures across England and Wales, up 13%

  • 40,639 Border Force seizures, up 57%

  • Record 28 tonnes of cocaine seized nationally

  • Record 85 tonnes of herbal cannabis seized nationally

Cannabis seized by police officers
Cannabis seized by police officers in SuffolkSuffolk Constabulary

Local impact: In Suffolk, officers seized:

  • 1kg of powdered cocaine

  • Less than 1kg of heroin

  • 185kg of herbal cannabis

The wider picture: Cleveland Police recorded the highest seizure rate outside London, with 7,053 seizures per million people. Thames Valley had the lowest at 242 per million.

What experts say: Lee Fernandes from The UKAT Group warns of changing drug preferences, particularly among young people:

  • Moving away from traditional Class A drugs

  • Increasing use of cannabis vapes

  • The growing popularity of ketamine and synthetic drugs

Government response: Migration Minister Seema Malhotra says authorities are determined "to protect the public from illegal drugs which pose a threat to people's lives."

Bottom line: While national drug seizures reached record levels in the year to March 2024, Suffolk recorded 7% fewer seizures compared to the previous year.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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One man's mission to preserve Ipswich's transport heritage

Feature
Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

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We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

As our transport landscape continues its rapid evolution, one local enthusiast has embarked on a remarkable journey to preserve a piece of Ipswich's recent history.

Bus preservation in Britain has come a long way since 1956, when four pioneering enthusiasts purchased their first historic London bus for a mere £40. Today, more than 5,000 preserved buses grace our nation's roads, each telling its own story of public transport's evolution.

This story begins with fleet number 147, an Optare Versa bus that once ferried countless passengers between London Road and Martlesham park and ride sites.

Now, this former Ipswich Buses workhorse has found a new home, rescued from potential obscurity for £4,000, by Jake Gooding, a local bus enthusiast and now proud preservationist.

I have to say, £4,000 for a fully-operational bus feels like an absolute bargain when compared to the cost of a half-decent SUV nowadays.

After becoming sidetracked (a common occurance for me) and going down a potentially divorce-inducing rabbit hole, exploring the idea of a "News Bus" in Ipswich, I got back to the task in hand.

"Indeed, prices of single deck buses are usually around the £2,500 range for a second hand one, and double deckers are usually around £4,000-£5,000, Jake informed me.

"The reason why ours was a little expensive is because it has a range of mod cons like air-conditioning, next stop announcements capabilities etc."

Optare Versa fleet number 147
Optare Versa fleet number 147Jake Gooding

Jake's vision includes restoring the vehicle to its former Ipswich Buses glory, complete with period livery. It's a labour of love that will demand dedication and expense, with annual running costs of around £500 and regular maintenance to keep the bus roadworthy.

The Optare Versa itself has an interesting technical history. Originally fitted with a MAN engine, it later received a Cummins power unit during its service life with Ipswich Buses. These engineering changes reflect the practical realities of keeping a hardworking public service vehicle on the road.

If all goes according to plan, this piece of Ipswich's transport heritage will make its preserved debut at The Big Bus Show at Stonham Barns in August 2025. There, it will stand (park?) proud as a testament to our town's transport heritage and the dedication of those who work to preserve it.

Jake Gooding
Jake GoodingJake Gooding

Some might question why anyone would want to preserve such a relatively modern vehicle. Yet in an era of rapid technological change, where tomorrow's buses might be unrecognisable from today's, preserving examples of recent transport history becomes increasingly important.

Fleet number 147's story didn't end when it left Ipswich Buses' service in November 2020. Instead, it's beginning a new chapter – one that will help ensure that future generations can appreciate how their parents and grandparents travelled around our town.

You can follow the project via its dedicated Facebook page.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

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