Concerns over policing in town

SUFFOLK Constabulary has been criticised for a lack of policing in a town after an elderly woman was burgled while she was at home.

Needham Market town councillors are concerned about the lack of bobbies on the beat and the authority is now writing to Suffolk Constabulary with their concerns after a discussion at the town council meeting.

Ian Mason, a town councillor and former mayor, said: “When we had no crime in this area and Needham Market was smaller we had a police station with a sergeant and three officers.

“Now there is no police station, no officers and just pretend policemen, these police community support officers.

“It's so bad now that criminals can get into someone's house and rob them, because they know there are no police about.”

The distraction burglary in Park Road happened sometime between 8.20pm and 8.45pm on October 6 when an elderly woman discovered an intruder in her bedroom who claimed to be looking for his cat.

The man continued to search the property despite her telling him she would call police before leaving through the front door. The elderly victim then discovered her purse had been stolen.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Constabulary said: “The Mid Suffolk South Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) is based in Needham Market, at the Mid Suffolk District Council Offices, and from there officers carry out regular patrols of the town and surrounding area, including visits with the mobile police station.

“The SNT has community engagement at its heart, speaking to local people at events, at the council offices and in the street, to identify concerns which are taken to meetings with partners to tackle together. We also welcome any feedback from our partners.”