Plans to move force control room take step forward

Plans to relocate a police control room have taken a step forward after a £2.2m purchase.

Suffolk's police and crime commissioner (PCC), Tim Passmore, signed off on a decision to buy Suffolk County Council's share of Landmark House in Ipswich.

The building had been jointly owned 50/50 by the PCC, on behalf of the police, and the council.

The PCC said it could provide the force with the opportunity to relocate its contact and control room (CCR), while the county council said the sale helped it "deliver value for taxpayers".

The sale is subject to contract, with the agreed purchase price of the 50% share being £2.2m.

Passmore said it had "made sense" to purchase the council's share, and the proposed relocation of the CCR would include significant investment in new technology.

"This additional space will help address concerns about the poor state of the CCR accommodation raised by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Service during their 2023 PEEL Inspection," he said.

"We have made huge strides in the CCR to modernise the service and make it more responsive to the needs of the public, and in particular, to victims, witnesses and everyone who needs our support or help.

"The purchase of Landmark House is an important next step in the multi-year investment in the CCR following investment through the policing precept, and my commitment to improve communication channels and make Suffolk Constabulary an employer of choice."

The PEEL Inspection two years ago rated the police inadequate for the way it responded to calls and also raised concerns about the time it took to answer 101 non-emergency calls.

The force had been working to address the issues, and in the year ending September 2024, 91% of emergency calls were answered within 10 seconds, with an average wait time of 6 seconds, compared to 79% for the previous 12 months, the police said.

Chief constable Rachel Kearton added it was "important our communities recognise we will strive to do the best we can to continue to provide a police service they can be proud of".

Joe Mason, deputy cabinet member for property and county farms, said the council would work closely with the PCC and force to "ensure a smooth transition".

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