Summer set of results show Suffolk’s commitment to tackle crime

Suffolk Constabulary’s commitment to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour can be illustrated by a set of impressive results over the summer months.

Between June and August 2025, officers across Suffolk have delivered a wide and varied mix of high-visibility patrols, targeted deployments and meaningful engagements with the public.

It has all culminated in making a clear and measurable impact in reducing crime and increasing community confidence. Between June and August 2025, crime in hotspot areas fell by 21% compared to the same period in 2024  and has led to 257 fewer crimes in those three months.

Operation Spotlight was launched in April 2024 to coordinate Suffolk Constabulary’s response to delivering 'hotspot' policing. The aim of the hotspot based project was to ensure an enhanced uniformed presence in 16 identified anti-social behaviour areas, following detailed analytical mapping of ASB demand across Suffolk. It also developed initiatives with partners to prevent, deter and educate those who commit ASB.

Over the period from the start of June to the end of August:

Ipswich recorded 474 crimes** – a drop of 19.93% on the same period last year.

Bury St Edmunds recorded 118 crimes a drop of 41.00% on the same period last year.

Lowestoft recorded 102 crimes - a drop of 20.31% on the same period last year.

Sudbury recorded 61 crimes – a drop of 38.38% on the same period last year.

Additionally, over the same period the force recorded 3,873 hours of high-visibility patrols in hotspot areas with 99 arrests made and 126 stop searches (42 positive / 84 negative).

In addition to routine patrols, officers have supported a range of targeted operations over the summer months, including use of Live Facial Recognition technology at the First Light Festival in Lowestoft during June.  This resulted in three arrests and engagement with over 200 people in the town centre. The arrests were for theft, a domestic actual bodily harm case and a domestic grievous bodily harm case – all three were males.

Officers have also supported the policing operation of the Fabio Wardley fight in Ipswich, as well as the Ed Sheeran concerts in Ipswich and deployments in the summer night-time economy of bars, restaurants clubs and pubs also in Ipswich.

Chief Inspector Matt Breeze said: “These figures show that the efforts our officers on the ground are making a measurable difference- reducing crime, increasing visibility, and improving public confidence.

“An important part of our work was the collection of feedback from the public and which has been overwhelmingly positive with many commenting how welcome it was to see police officers on foot patrol.

“It’s also about use developing initiatives with partners to prevent, deter and educate those who commit crime and ASB.

“For example, the innovative facial recognition technology used in Lowestoft shows how it can play a vital role in protecting people, keeping them safe, investigating crimes, and getting justice for victims. It also means we are saving time and effort for our officers, leaving them able to do other work to protect and help the public.

“Overall, we continue to be committed to working closely with residents and partners to tackle the issues that matter most to them & preventing and solving local crimes like shoplifting and vehicle crime. It’s about being more accessible, more responsive, and more present—because we know how important it is for you to see and feel the impact of local policing.”

Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk Tim Passmore said: "The success of this initiative shows the benefit of having targeted resources in the right place; it increases public confidence and as these stats show, it gets results.

"Dealing with anti-social behaviour is crucial because it matters to all of us. I hope the Home Office will continue to support Hotspot Policing in the long-term."

**This is only specific knife crime/violent and sexual offences/ASB related offences occurring in a public place and excludes other crimes such as domestic abuse.