SUFFOLK is still playing host to more than 250 police officers from across the UK as one of the biggest criminal investigations in a generation continues.
SUFFOLK is still playing host to more than 250 police officers from across the UK as one of the biggest criminal investigations in a generation continues.
A total of 39 forces, including Suffolk, have been involved at some stage in the enquiry.
Currently, 34 outside forces are represented, with officers from North Wales, Thames Valley, Kent and Sussex recently stepping down and returning home.
However, a police spokeswoman today confirmed that those officers could return depending on the demand for their services.
The spokeswoman said: “Currently in the region of 400 police officers and staff, from a total 35 police forces including Suffolk, are assisting with the investigation.
“The numbers of officers and staff supplying mutual aid - currently 256 - will continue to fluctuate according to the demands on the specialist skills required at any point of the ongoing investigation.”
The level of police support afforded to Suffolk has rarely been seen before, making the coordination of the officers' work a massive task.
Along with the mammoth size of the investigation, the need for the extra help is exacerbated because the Suffolk force is one of the smallest in the country, with only 1,323 officers.
Among the specialist equipment brought to Suffolk are ten of Merseyside Police's Automatic Number Plate Recognition vans, which have been used to register cars driving in the red light district. Suffolk Constabulary only has one.
Police with expertise as document readers and exhibits officers have also been drafted in from around the country
Fast Facts: The 38 forces who have come to our aid
Avon and Somerset
Bedfordshire
British Transport Police
Cambridgeshire
Cheshire
Cumbria
Derbyshire
Durham
Dyfed Powys
Essex
Gloucestershire
Greater Manchester
Hampshire
Hertfordshire
Humberside
Kent
Lancashire
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
Merseyside
Metropolitan Police
Ministry of Defence
Norfolk
Northants
North Wales
North Yorkshire
Nottinghamshire
Police Service of Northern Ireland
Staffordshire
Surrey
Sussex
Thames Valley
Warwickshire
West Mercia
West Midlands
Wiltshire
South Wales
Devon and Cornwell
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