The big picture: The request highlights the importance of community-police engagement, particularly in larger population centres like Ipswich.
Why it matters: Police Connect meetings allow residents to engage with high-level police officials. Ipswich, Suffolk's largest town, is not currently scheduled to host one of these meetings, though a meeting is scheduled for Martlesham.
Key points:
Abbott addressed his letter to Tim Passmore, Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner, and Rachel Kearton, Suffolk Chief Constable.
Police Connect meetings are planned for other Suffolk locations this autumn, including Martlesham.
The MP suggests that excluding Ipswich could be perceived negatively by residents.
What they're saying: "These events are important opportunities for the public to engage with policing in Suffolk at the highest level," Abbott said. He added, "Despite being Suffolk's largest town by some distance, there is a perception that Ipswich is sometimes treated as an afterthought."
Abbott further stated that omitting Ipswich "would be a mistake at a time when we need to be fostering positive relationships and providing reassurance to residents."
Tim Passmore, Suffolk Police & Crime Commissioner, responded: "Each year we stage a public meeting in each of the three policing areas and this year we will also host one mid-county in Stowmarket to ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to engage with myself and Chief Constable directly.
“We will look at the possibility of adding a meeting in Ipswich and will update you once details are confirmed.”
Meetings are currently scheduled at:
Martlesham: 6:30pm on October 9th at the Police Headquarters in Martlesham.
Stowmarket: 6:30pm on September 12th at The Mix in Stowmarket.
An online meeting via Microsoft Teams is scheduled for November 6th at 6pm.
The meetings aim to provide updates on Suffolk's policing and allow residents to raise concerns.
What's next: These meetings provide a platform for residents to learn about and contribute to discussions on local policing strategies and concerns. It remains to be seen whether Suffolk police leaders will add an Ipswich meeting to the schedule.
