Questions to Home Office

Yesterday Parliament came back from recess. I was pleased to get straight off the blocks, posing a question to the Home Office at the very first opportunity. It was great to be called as the 2nd question of this new Parliamentary term.

As many of you will know, over the summer there have been a number of knife attacks in Ipswich. Inter-gang violence, targeting rival members, often erupts in a public space and can have a chilling effect on the wider community. Tackling knife crime, keeping Ipswich safe, and making sure we all feel secure walking about our Town is one of my priorities.

I am pleased that we secured the Safer Streets Fund, which is funding night-time police presence in the Town. However, I think we can do more. Yesterday, I asked the Minister to look favourably on our UK shared prosperity bid, which would help tackle knife crime by increasing day-time police presence in the Town.

In addition to this, I asked the Minister to look at reviewing the National Funding Formula, to make sure Ipswich and Suffolk policing get a fairer deal.