Tom has been carrying out a survey across the Ipswich regarding people's views about the town centre. Tom and Conservative colleagues hear concerns expressed about fears of crime and anti-social behaviour in the Town centre. Large numbers of long-term Ipswich residents are shunning their own Town centre because they don't feel safe. Particularly at certain times of the day.
The results Tom's survey very much bears this out and the overwhelming majority of respondents would like robust tough action as a result.
Results:
Would you agree to the police adopting a zero-tolerance approach to lower-level crime and anti-social behaviour in the Town Centre?
Yes – I agree with this: 93.34%
No – I am opposed to this: 4.01%
Unsure/undecided: 2.66%
Do you think the Police should be more prepared to disperse large groups of men who congregate in the Town centre?
Yes – I agree with this: 90.89%
No – I am opposed to this: 3.04%
Unsure/undecided: 6.07%
Do you support Tom Hunt’s campaign to ensure tougher penalties for those found to be shoplifting?
Yes – I agree with this: 92.37%
No – I am opposed to this: 2.56%
Unsure/undecided: 5.08%
Please tick the top two things that could be done to get you back into the Town centre again.
The Labour-led Council cutting car parking charges: 9.18%
Boosting police presence in the Town Centre further: 16.63%
The police adopting more of a tough, zero-tolerance attitude to those behaving in an anti-social manner: 24.31%
Fewer empty units: 17.07%
A better quality of shops: 23.45%
A cleaner Town Centre with less litter: 5.59%
A more compact Town Centre: 3.77%
However the strength of feeling and the majority responses to these questions are eye opening.
Tom has written to Suffolk Police sharing all these findings and have requested a meeting. We have had an increase in Police numbers across the county and some new officers dedicated to Town centre policing. However in addition to police presence we need a more hands on. Robust. Zero tolerance attitude. Both when it comes to directly confronting those who are blunting the Town centre experience for the majority and also those committing shop lifting.
