Police seize £500,000 of cocaine and weapons including ninja swords in Gipping and Westgate wards crackdown

Why it matters: The Home Office-developed strategy represents the latest effort to tackle serious and organised crime in West Ipswich, with the official launch bringing together the largest partnership of agencies yet committed to addressing criminality in the area.

The details: On Thursday, 12 September, Suffolk Constabulary and Ipswich Borough Council welcomed attendees from 28 different organisations and local authorities, including Suffolk County Council, Ipswich MP Jack Abbott and Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore, to discuss the initiative's progress and future plans.

The project focuses on an area west of the town centre, bordered by Norwich Road and Bramford Road to the north, Yarmouth Road to the west, and West End Road to the south, with efforts having begun in March.

Since work began on 11 March up to 31 August, results include:

• 111 arrests

• 21 people charged, with 18 of those remanded

• Convictions totalling 42 years and 11 months

• 41 vehicles seized

• Numerous days of action with partner agencies

• Approximately £500,000 worth of cocaine seized

• Weapons such as ninja swords and crossbows seized

What they're saying: Ipswich Central Locality Inspector Jess Lawlor said: "Clear Hold Build in Ipswich has made a powerful start, with organised criminals and their associates being identified and targeted in key areas through relentless multi-agency enforcement. This joint effort focuses on tackling organised drug supply and associated exploitation. Up to the end of August 111 individuals had been arrested, with a number receiving custodial sentences. But this is just the beginning — lasting change will come through collaboration and commitment from all involved."

Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: "Our residents know their communities and have pride in where they live, wanting to ensure they are places for our young people to grow, our friends and neighbours to know each other and where the services around them work together to provide high quality standards. We're thrilled to see the impact that the Clear phase is having on removing and disrupting the crime that can blight our neighbourhoods, and are looking forward to working with residents to keep that momentum going and improve the lives of all who live in the area."

Tim Passmore, Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner said: "I welcomed the expansion of this innovative partnership approach in Ipswich and was pleased to join partners to show my support. Clear, Hold, Build brings together a whole community to tackle issues within a designated area. It is already up and running in Felixstowe and Newmarket and has proved successful in reducing serious crime and anti-social behaviour."

MP Jack Abbott said: "The Clear, Hold, Build event showed the determination in Ipswich to root out criminality and build stronger, more resilient communities. It was inspiring to see so many organisations pulling together with a shared focus on making our town safer."

The bigger picture: Clear Hold Build is not simply about targeting criminals. Officers have been participating in community engagements, including involvement in a local football scheme and meetings with residents and businesses. Pop-ups have also taken place at Barrack Corner, allowing residents to meet officers and share their thoughts and concerns.

What's next: Following the presentations, attendees split into break-out groups to discuss plans for the next two stages, with a focus on how the different organisations could work together through the hold and build phases. Future plans will look to bring the community together by forming groups under the themes of youth work, family support and thriving cohesive communities.

For context: Ipswich is the latest town in Suffolk to officially launch Clear, Hold, Build, following successful deployments in Felixstowe and Newmarket. The tactic was developed by the Home Office to tackle serious and organised crime and build communities more resilient to their influence.

The bottom line: With 28 organisations now committed to the partnership approach, the Gipping and Westgate wards will see continued enforcement action alongside community-driven initiatives designed to address the underlying causes of criminality.