More police officers for Suffolk in £1.8m Government boost — but force still getting a 'poor deal'

Suffolk streets are set to get more police officers after a £1.8 million boost — but concerns remain the force is still getting a 'poor deal'.

The Government announced Suffolk would be getting £1.8 million in grant funding to place 26 extra officers on the streets yesterday.

The money is part of Labour's goal of placing 13,000 additional police officers, PCSOs and special constables into neighbourhood policing roles by the end of the current Parliament.

Tim Passmore, Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner, welcomed the extra cash and praised the force for already introducing 80 named community police officers at the end of 2023.

He said: “This additional funding – which for Suffolk is £1.8m - will build on this existing good work and will enable the Chief Constable to recruit even more officers to support communities in Suffolk."

Mr Passmore criticised, however, the ongoing Government refusal to reform the police's funding formula.

The PCC has repeatedly said Suffolk gets a 'poor deal' in relation to other similar counties, with funding based on an outdated formula.

For instance, this round's neighbourhood policing grant award netted Norfolk Police just over £2.2 million, the equivalent of 31 new officers.

He said: "Whilst I am obviously delighted with this extra funding, I will continue to lobby government for a fairer funding formula for Suffolk — nothing else will do.”