Message from Police and Crime Commissioner:
Welcome to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s August update.
In this short update we introduce the interim Chief Constable and give an update on the Constabulary’s recent inspection, we have details of the next round of public meetings where you can quiz the PCC and the Chief Constable and invite you to attend the PCC’s accountability meeting where he publicly monitors the Constabulary’s performance. We hope you find this useful.
Interim Chief appointed to lead the Constabulary
The PCC has identified an acting Chief Constable to lead the Suffolk Constabulary on an interim basis. Mark Webster, recently retired Chief Constable from Cleveland, will lead the Constabulary while the PCC continues his search for a substantive Chief Constable for Suffolk.
More detail: PCC announces interim Acting Chief Constable
Work to do following HMICFRS inspection
His Majesty’s inspectorate of Constabulary has completed an inspection of Suffolk Constabulary looking at the effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy of the force.
The report, published earlier this month, highlights the good and picks out areas requiring improvement. It is a snap-shot at a particular point in time and therefore some things highlighted are already in the process of being improved. The investment in the Contact and Control Room has been recognised and the good work in our neighbourhood policing which is great news as the PCC believes this is the cornerstone of policing in the county.
For more detail go to: Inspector reviews Constabulary performance
Have you got a burning question for the Constabulary or the PCC?
Do you have a question about policing that you’d like an answer to, or are you interested to learn more about policing in the county? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, you are invited to join the PCC at one of the public meetings planned across the county over the coming two months.
There will be meetings in Lowestoft, Newmarket, Stowmarket and at Police HQ in Martlesham. There will also be an on-line meeting in November.
The PCC and a senior officer will give an update on policing and will be available to answer questions.
More detail available here: Meetings and events
Online reporting
The Constabulary’s priority is to ensure you can reach them quickly in an emergency, they are therefore asking people to consider the most appropriate way to get in touch.
The 999 number should only be used when there is risk to life or safety, or a crime is in progress. For non-emergency matters it’s 101 or you could make use of the digital services. Online reporting is a quick and convenient way to report crimes that have already happened or are not urgent. You can also get advice and support using Live Chat. Please consider the online options as this helps manage demand effectively and ensure the phone lines are free for those who need urgent assistance.
Fuller detail here: PCC encourages online reporting as a convenient alternative
Accountability and Performance
If you are interested to see how the PCC holds the Chief Constable to account on your behalf you can attend the next Accountability and Performance Panel on Friday 4 September at 9.30am. If you wish to attend, please email katherine.boswell@suffolk.police.uk by 3.30pm on Wednesday 2 September 2026 stating whether you are attending in person or would like to join via Microsoft Teams.
There is an opportunity for public questions at the beginning of the meeting.
Further details are here: Accountability and Performance Panel