Skip to main contentEnter

Increased police presence in town continues as part of Safer Business Week

News

Police have continued to step up operations in the town centre as part of Safer Business Week, targeting anti-social behaviour and supporting local businesses.

Why it matters: Retail crime affects local businesses, their staff, and the broader community. The increased police presence in the town centre during Safer Business Week aims to address these issues proactively.

The big picture: Officers are carrying out a range of activities including:

  • Joint patrols with rough sleeper outreach workers

  • High-visibility patrols in key areas

  • Checks on vulnerable individuals at risk of exploitation

  • Engaging directly with local businesses

Today in numbers:

  • 5 checks on addresses linked to potential exploitation

  • 6 intelligence reports submitted

  • 1 traffic offence report issued for running a red light

  • 1 arrest made for threatening shop staff

What's new: As part of Safer Business Week, police are also providing crime prevention advice to retailers, encouraging online reporting of incidents and promoting the use of the Digital Asset Management System (DAMS) for sharing evidence electronically.

The bottom line: The force plans to continue these intensive efforts throughout Safer Business Week, aiming to build stronger partnerships with local businesses and improve town centre safety.

NHS trust helps 41,000 patients with health and lifestyle changes

News

More than 41,000 patients have received support for healthier lifestyles through a new NHS programme in East Suffolk and North Essex. The Making Every Contact Count initiative has already helped thousands quit smoking and improve their diet.

Why it matters: The programme aims to tackle health inequalities between deprived and affluent areas in the region. In central Ipswich and Tendring, residents are more likely to be obese, smoke, and require emergency hospital care compared to areas like Framlingham and Great Bentley.

The big picture: East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) staff are using routine patient interactions, such as outpatient appointments, to offer lifestyle support and referrals to specialist services.

A&E at Ipswich Hospital
The Making Every Contact Count initiative has already helped thousands quit smoking and improve their diet at Ipswich HospitalOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

By the numbers:

  • 6,500 patients have been referred to support services

  • More than half of hospital inpatients referred to stop smoking services have successfully quit

  • 23.8% of people in the most deprived areas smoke, compared to 6.8% in least deprived areas

  • Adult obesity rates are 2.4 times higher in most deprived areas

What they're doing: The trust has launched several targeted projects including:

  • A 20-week healthy eating programme for children called 'Nourish'

  • Inpatient stop smoking services at Ipswich hospital

  • Picture menus on hospital wards to encourage healthy eating

What they're saying: Sally Barber, associate director for health inequalities at ESNEFT, said: "Figures show that there is a significant difference in the quality of life experienced by people in our most deprived areas compared with that enjoyed by those in the least. Tackling health inequalities is therefore a priority for ESNEFT as we want to make sure that everyone gets the same opportunities and access to health and wellbeing support, regardless of where they live."

Bottom line: The trust plans to make the programme "business as usual" for its teams to help even more people improve their health and wellbeing in the future.

Load next article