PCC Colin Sutton helps fund two new police officers for Thetford
Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Colin Sutton, has contributed £140,000 to help fund extra police resource over the next two years in the market town of Thetford.
Since the announcement that RAF Barnham was being considered as a site for large scale asylum accommodation, by the Home Office, regular, largely peaceful protests outside the camp have been taking place.
The announcement caused much anxiety and disorder in nearby Thetford with protests staged at houses in multiple occupation (HMO), rumoured to be used by asylum seekers, on various estates across the town.
In response to this disorder, Breckland Council decided to invest Home Office funding in an additional police officer resource, to increase the visibility of policing in the town.
To ensure there is sufficient capacity to maintain a high visible police presence, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk agreed to invest in another police officer for the area for two years.
PCC Colin Sutton, said: “I want people to feel connected to policing within their neighbourhoods and to have confidence that concerns will be listened to and acted upon. With tensions having run high recently, Thetford deserves to have high visibility policing to provide greater reassurance to residents.
“I was in Thetford on a walkabout as part of my Police and Crime Plan consultation a few weeks ago and residents were so pleased to see street wardens and police officers visible in the town centre.
“I am confident that these additional two officers will bring about more community cohesion and will prevent future disorder and associated distress for local residents.”
Cllr Tristan Ashby, Breckland Council’s Executive Member for Health and Communities, commented: “We know people are tired of crime and anti-social behaviour undermining our towns. Having additional Police colleagues, alongside the council’s existing safer streets wardens and anti-social behaviour officers, will increase the policing presence in the district and help maintain safe, cohesive and confident communities for everyone who lives in Breckland.”
