PCC contributes £140,000 towards extra police officers in Thetford
High visibility policing aimed at reducing tensions
Thetford will see two additional police officers after Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner and Breckland Council agreed funding to boost police visibility in the town.
The commissioner contributed £140,000 to help fund an additional police officer for the next two years, alongside a separate officer funded by Breckland Council using Home Office funding.
This move comes after the announcement that RAF Barnham is being considered by the Home Office as a site for large-scale asylum accommodation, which has led to regular and largely peaceful protests.
The announcement that RAF Barnham was being considered as a site for large-scale asylum accommodation led to anxiety and unrest in Thetford, with protests taking place outside houses in multiple occupation rumoured to be used by asylum seekers. In response, Breckland Council opted to invest Home Office funding into an additional officer to boost local police visibility.
Furthermore, Colin Sutton has pledged additional funding for another officer to ensure there is ample police capacity in Thetford. Sutton emphasised the importance of visible policing in maintaining community cohesion and reducing disorder.
Sutton said, “I want people to feel connected to policing within their neighbourhoods and to have confidence that concerns will be listened to and acted upon. With tensions having run high recently, Thetford deserves to have high visibility policing to provide greater reassurance to residents.”
Breckland Council's Executive Member for Health and Communities, Cllr Tristan Ashby, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the community’s need for safety and cohesion.
Ashby remarked, “We know people are tired of crime and anti-social behaviour undermining our towns. Having additional Police colleagues, alongside the council’s existing safer streets wardens and anti-social behaviour officers, will increase the policing presence in the district and help maintain safe, cohesive and confident communities for everyone who lives in Breckland.”