The 1998 Crime and Disorder Act gave birth to Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) by giving local authorities and the police new responsibilities to work in partnership with other organisations and the community to draw up strategies to reduce crime and disorder.
The Crime and Disorder Act recognised that people living and working in the area are best placed to identify and address the problems facing them.
High Street Business Security Improvement Grant Scheme
Business owners in East Suffolk can now apply for funding from East Suffolk Council to help improve the security of their premises. Grants of up to £2,000 are available, covering up to 50% of the total cost of eligible security improvements.
Delivered through the East Suffolk Community Safety Partnership, this funding can support a wide range of upgrades, including:
• Improved or upgraded locks
• Installation of alarm systems
• Security lighting or CCTV
• Reinforcement of single‑glazed windows
• Visibility improvements
• Security gates or shutters
These measures are designed to help businesses reduce crime, protect their property and improve peace of mind.
Key to the strength of the CSPs is the responsible authorities, those agencies who must co-operate as part of the partnerships. In our region these are:
- Suffolk Constabulary
- Suffolk and Norfolk Probation Trust
- Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner
- Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service
- Suffolk County Council
- The District Council
- Public Health
Each CSP develops an action plan based on a county-wide strategic assessment which puts measurable objectives in place to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. This plan is then reviewed annually.
The East Suffolk CSP current action plan objectives (2025-2026) are:
| Raise awareness of key community safety issues by supporting national communications campaigns, promoting reporting routes and delivering and promoting training. |
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| Take a problem solving approach in delivering key projects and action plans and in addressing new challenges as they emerge. |
| Engage with communities to understand local concerns and use the insight gained to shape community safety projects, working to co-produce solutions where possible. |
| Share information on all partner projects and any relevant data from community engagement to find synergies, avoid duplication and optimise projects. |