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Specialist police team conducts large operation at property near Norwich Road

News

Operation Sentinel officers were spotted carrying evidence following a large operation at a property near Norwich Road, Ipswich, as part of an "ongoing investigation" on Tuesday.

The big picture: Operation Sentinel is Suffolk Police's specialist unit targeting serious and organised crime across the county's road network.

Sentinel officers were seen returning from a property near Norwich Road
Sentinel officers were seen returning from a property near Norwich RoadOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

Key details:

  • Two female and four male officers were involved in the operation.

  • Officers emerged from Beaufort Street carrying what appeared to be evidence.

  • Three Operation Sentinel vehicles were stationed outside the Prime Star store on Norwich Road during the search.

  • The owner of the Prime Star store has confirmed to Ipswich.co.uk that the store was not involved in the operation.

For context: Operation Sentinel teams have been active across Suffolk since 2019:

  • Made 471 arrests between April 2023 and March 2024

  • Stopped more than 1,000 vehicles in the same period

  • Funded by a £1.6m council tax precept increase for Band D properties

Three Operation Sentinel vehicles were stationed outside Prime Star store during the search
Three Operation Sentinel vehicles were stationed outside the Prime Star store on Norwich Road during the searchOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

What they're saying: Police have confirmed the operation was part of an ongoing investigation but were unable to provide further details at this stage.

Health Minister meets Ipswich MPs over cancelled surgery plans

News

The government minister responsible for primary care has met with Ipswich's MPs to discuss the cancelled development of a 'super surgery' in north west Ipswich. Stephen Kinnock MP held talks with local representatives following the scrapping of Cardinal Medical Practice's planned development at the former Tooks Bakery site.

Why it matters: The meeting signals high-level government engagement with Ipswich's primary care challenges, particularly in the north west of the town where the cancelled development was planned.

The big picture: The development at the former Tooks Bakery site was intended to create a new 'super surgery' that would embed healthcare services within the local community, aligning with the government's long-term NHS strategy.

Jack Abbott, Patrick Spencer and Health Minister Stephen Kinnock
Jack Abbott MP and Patrick Spencer MP met with Health Minister Stephen Kinnock on Saturday 30 NovemberOffice of Jack Abbott MP

The details: Jack Abbott MP and Patrick Spencer MP met with Health Minister Stephen Kinnock on Saturday 30 November:

  • Both MPs emphasised the need for improved primary care in north west Ipswich

  • The minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to community-based healthcare

  • The project was meant to align with recommendations from the Darzi Report on NHS strategy

  • No immediate solution was proposed

What they're saying:

  • "I will continue to work with local and national politicians and our local NHS to try and find a workable solution," said Jack Abbott MP

  • Patrick Spencer MP described the cancellation as "bitterly disappointing" for both the medical practice and local residents

  • Spencer added that the promised new 'super surgery' would "deliver exactly what the Government has committed to – health services embedded in the local community"

The bottom line: While the minister has reinforced the government's commitment to community healthcare, no immediate solution has been proposed for the cancelled development. Both MPs have pledged to continue working towards a sustainable solution.

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