Federation meets with MPs to discuss key policing challenges

27 November 2024

The chair and secretary of Suffolk Police Federation have recently met with local MPs to address pressing issues affecting policing at both local and national levels.

Branch chair Darren Harris and secretary Ben Hudson have held two meetings, one with Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich and another with Patrick Spencer, the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich.

Their discussions centred around funding, officer recruitment and retention, as well as the operational challenges Suffolk officers are facing today.

Darren has since emphasised the importance of such meetings: “It’s encouraging to see engagement from our local MPs. I feel it demonstrates their commitment to supporting our officers.

Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich.

“Both meetings presented us with a good opportunity to have open and constructive discussions about the challenges our members are facing.

“I hope that meetings like these continue and we get the chance to speak to not only Mr Abbott and Mr Spencer again, but other MPs representing the county.

Relationships

“Ultimately, they are the ones who give us a voice in Parliament, so building relationships between them and the Federation is vital.

Key topics discussed with Mr Abott included Suffolk’s funding settlement, with Darren and Ben highlighting the strain on resources and the need for a fairer funding settlement to meet the demands unique to the county.

Retail crime in Ipswich Town Centre was also highlighted. Plus, concerns were raised about the increasing number of officers being called as court witnesses, often with insufficient notice - an issue that can disrupt frontline operations.

Conversations with Mr Spencer were shaped around police recruitment and concerns about the lack of experience on the frontline impacting the overall efficacy of the Force.

Patrick Spencer, the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich.

Darren and Ben drew attention to low pay and rising workloads having an impact on retention levels, with the Federation representatives highlighting the urgent need for improved pay scales and better working conditions.

During both meetings, the #SimplifyDG6 was discussed, a national campaign that Ben, who is also chair of the chair of the Police Federation National Detectives’ Forum, is leading.

Parliament

“In recent times, we have seen local MPs not only throw their support behind the #SimplifyDG6 campaign but also raise it in Parliament,” said Ben.

In February this year, Peter Aldous, former MP for Suffolk’s Waveney constituency, called for change during a debate in Parliament, saying that the job of a police officer would be made ‘easier and happier’ if the Government ‘reduced unnecessary red tape’ - just as the #SimplifyDG6 campaign suggests.

“The support local MPs have given to this campaign demonstrated just how essential it is for the Federation to build, develop and grow relationships with government representatives,” Ben continued.

“We really appreciated the time both Mr Abbott and Mr Spencer gave us, and we look forward to once again meeting with them in the new year.”