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The force says...

Suffolk Constabulary polices a population of over 758,500 with 1,116 FTE police officer posts.

Suffolk covers 1466 square miles across a county that is largely rural but includes a number of vibrant urban areas. It has a coastline stretching from Lowestoft to Felixstowe (one of the largest container ports in Europe), four military bases and a nuclear power station.

The county’s population has grown by 2.3% since 2011 and is expected to rise to over 770,000 by 2023. By 2023 over 50% of the population is anticipated to be aged 45 and over. More than 83,000 people in Suffolk live in income deprivation. Tourism plays a key role in the local economy contributing £2 billion in 2018, with 42,428 associated jobs.

The net revenue budget for policing in 2019/20 is £124.4 million. Since 2010, £30 million has been identified in savings, £17.6 million of which achieved through collaboration. Savings of £2 million are planned for 2019/20, rising to £3.1m by 2022/23, with further savings of £1.4 million to be identified by 2022/23.

The constabulary received over 257,000 calls last year; 38% of which were 999 emergencies. Around 54,000 crimes were recorded in 2018.

It continues to place neighbourhood policing at the centre of its operating model and has moved over 100 additional officers into safer neighbourhood teams. It has also used the additional precept funding to increase proactive policing, particularly automatic number plate recognition technology to target local criminality and organised crime. It continues to place an emphasis on vulnerability and hidden harm. Overall crime increased by 4.1% with the highest rises in domestic abuse, (14.6%) and serious sexual offences, (10.6%).

There continues to be an increase in both the volume and complexity of demand, including safeguarding, youth gang violence and mental health together with rises in violent crime.

Disclaimer: the above statement has been prepared by Suffolk Constabulary. The views and information in it are not necessarily those of HMICFRS.