Suffolk's local leaders reaffirm commitment to ending knife crime
A motion committing the authority to continue its work to eradicate knife crime was passed unanimously
Local leaders in Suffolk have reaffirmed their commitment to ending knife crime in the county.
At a Suffolk County Council meeting yesterday (12th December) a motion committing the authority to continue its partnership work to eradicate knife crime was passed unanimously.
It'd been proposed by Conservative Councillor, Sam Murray, and seconded by the Conservative cabinet member for environment, communities and equality, Councillor Philip Faircloth-Mutton.
Although the role of addressing and policing knife crime sits primarily with Suffolk Constabulary and the Police and Crime Commissioner, through the Safer Stronger Communities Board, chaired by Cllr Faircloth-Mutton, Suffolk County Council has a vital role to play in the wider partnership work that makes Suffolk safer for its residents.
The motion agreed that, at the next meeting of the Safer Stronger Communities Board, Cllr Faircloth-Mutton would propose investigating the benefits of piloting a Knife Crime Action Plan in Ipswich.
"An incredibly serious issue"
Councillor Murray said: “While I wish that this was a motion I never had to propose, I’m delighted that Suffolk County Council unanimously backed my suggestion that we make every effort to lessen knife crime in Suffolk and investigate piloting an Ipswich-specific Action Plan.
"This is an incredibly serious issue and one which I and my Ipswich Conservative colleagues have been campaigning on for some time. This Ipswich pilot could become the blueprint for the rest of Suffolk in tackling this issue.
“Ipswich is a brilliant town, with excellent businesses and vibrant nightlife. We need to support our residents and businesses to ensure everyone feels safe in our county town. I am hopeful that today is the beginning of a successful journey to rid our county of knife crime.”
"There is always more we can do"
Councillor Faircloth-Mutton said: “I’m grateful to Cllr Murray for proposing this motion and to colleagues across the Council for supporting it.
"The County Council has a vital partnership role to play in tackling knife crime and while we all take pride in how Suffolk is the third safest county in the country, and crimes involving a knife fell 38 percent between 2022 and 2024, there is always more we can do.
"As chairman of the Safer Stronger Communities Board, this is an issue I take incredibly seriously and I’ll be working closely with partners, including Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore, to drive this vital work forward in a pilot Action Plan.”
The motion in full
‘Suffolk County Council commits to continuing its work and partnerships to eliminate knife crime across Suffolk.
"It is widely recognised that improving safety for the residents of Suffolk can only be achieved on a collective basis. Therefore, the Council thanks its staff, members and partners on Suffolk’s District and Borough Councils, Suffolk Police and Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner, and Probation and Health services for the vital work they all do.
"The Council also thanks Suffolk’s communities and acknowledges the vital role they play in tackling this issue, particularly by raising awareness among young people across the county.
"The Council commends Suffolk Constabulary on its continued efforts to reduce knife crime following the release of data by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which showed a 38% reduction in crimes across Suffolk involving a knife between June 2022 and June 2024. However, the Council recognises enforcement is only part of the solution.
"Therefore the Council asks that, through their chairmanship of the Safer Stronger Communities Board, the Cabinet Member for Environment, Communities and Equality table an agenda item for the next meeting of the Board, scheduled for March 2025, to build on the work already being delivered in Suffolk and investigate the benefits of piloting a knife crime action plan in Ipswich, given the continued concerns raised by residents and councillors in the town.’