What's Happening?
Suffolk's police and crime commissioner, Tim Passmore, has approved the purchase of Suffolk County Council's share of Landmark House in Ipswich for £2.2 million. This acquisition aims to facilitate the relocation of the police's contact and control room
(CCR), which is expected to include significant technological upgrades. The move is part of a broader effort to address issues identified in a 2023 inspection by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Service, which highlighted inadequacies in call response times. The police have since improved their emergency call response, with 91% of calls answered within 10 seconds as of September 2024.
Why It's Important?
The relocation and upgrade of the CCR are crucial for enhancing the efficiency and responsiveness of Suffolk's police services. By investing in new technology and infrastructure, the police aim to improve communication channels and service delivery, particularly for victims and witnesses. This move is also part of a strategic effort to make Suffolk Constabulary an employer of choice, potentially attracting more skilled personnel. The investment reflects a commitment to modernizing public safety infrastructure, which could lead to better community trust and satisfaction with police services.
What's Next?
The purchase is subject to contract, and the transition will involve close collaboration between the police and the county council to ensure a smooth relocation process. The police will continue to focus on improving their service delivery metrics, particularly in non-emergency call handling. The success of this initiative could serve as a model for other regions looking to modernize their public safety infrastructure.
