Calls for collaboration over tackling knife crime in Suffolk

Labour MP for Ipswich Jack Abbott wrote a letter to Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore calling for greater collaboration between local authorities in the county to tackle knife crime. 

However, while many have responded positively and welcomed the MPs calls, one councillor has raised that such an approach could "water down" effectiveness and should be Ipswich-focused.

Jack Abbott MP wrote to Tim Passmore to address the issue.  (Image: Shikhar Talwar) In his letter, Mr Abbott wrote that the fatal stabbing of Courtney Mitchell in August and James Quigley in January 2023 "illustrates the imperative of tackling knife crime in a multi-faceted and urgent manner".

He added that there is a lot of work on this being done nationally - including the Prime Minister meeting with Idris Elba launching a project to tackle the issue - and is inviting Mr Passmore to join him in establishing a Suffolk Knife Crime Coalition. 

The new structure would review and update the current strategy that looks into county lines, as well as collaborate with all relevant stakeholders. 

A project to tackle knife crime was launched by PM Starmer and Idris Elba.  (Image: Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA) Mr Abbott said: "This coalition will bring together local political institutions, the police and other relevant stakeholders from across Suffolk - including educational and youth professionals - to review and refresh existing local strategies."

In his response to the letter, Tim Passmore said he was glad that Jack Abbott has made an effort to address knife crimes. (Image: Newsquest)

In his response to the letter, Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: “I am pleased to see that our local MP is as committed as I am to making our county town a safe and attractive place to live and work.

“There has been a huge amount of investment in the town over the past decade to combat drugs and gang-related issues and I will continue to support any initiative aimed at making Ipswich even safer.

“We must remember that Suffolk is a relatively safe place, and we are fortunate not to be affected by the levels of serious crime seen in other parts of the country.   I think it is important that we also celebrate what is good about our county town and highlight the many positives."

He added that there is a need to work together to keep Ipswich safe and is looking forward to hearing more about Mr Abbott's plans.

Cllr John Cook previously noted the importance of addressing this issue county-wide. (Image: Ipswich Labour Party)

Currently, the county lines strategy in Suffolk looks at addressing knife crime through a collaboration between all local authorities and police. 

The county lines strategy also shares information with Essex Police and MET Police, with Ipswich Borough Council's portfolio holder for communities John Cook previously stating that collaborating is important as "crime does not follow boundaries".

The Labour MP agree with this notation and believes there is a "clear link between drug dealing and use and knife crime". 

Cllr Sam Murray calls for an Ipswich-specific strategy.  (Image: Archant) However, the councillor for Castle Hill, Sam Murray, has been calling for an Ipswich-specific approach to knife crime.

The Conservative councillor said: "It is clear that issues in Ipswich are different to other areas of Suffolk, particularly rural areas.

"Ipswich is the county's town and should have the needed focus.

"A county-wide "coalition" would water down the effectiveness of such a strategy."

Cllr Murray had raised a call for a knife crime strategy at Ipswich Borough Council. (Image: Joe Giddens/PA)

She has raised this issue at the borough council previously, but no action was taken on it, and continues to petition for this. 

However, both Cllr Murray and Mr Abbott agree on working with charities and groups that have helped address knife crime in Ipswich. 

The founders of Lucky13 Tattoo Studio welcomed the initiative.  (Image: Archant) One such group includes the founders of Lucky13 Tattoos, Paul Stansby and Jamie Hart, who have worked to install more than 60 bleed-kits across Ipswich.

Mr Stansby's brother Dean died after being stabbed near Ipswich train station in 2017 and led to the business owners launching the Be Lucky Anti-Knife crime organisation.

For the campaigner he said the coalition would meet with key decision makers after trying to set up meetings with them.

Mr Stansby said: "So it will be really good if we can work together, go to school, talk to people and address this horrible issue.

"I think what is being called for is a really great idea, where we can collaborate to help the public."