Bury St Edmunds: Home Secretary full of praise for police forces

Home Secretary Theresa May has hailed Suffolk and Norfolk Constabularies as “shining examples” of forces working together to improve efficiency and ensure officers can spend more time out on the streets.

She spoke to the East Anglian Daily Times newspaper following a tour of the state-of-the-art Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre (PIC), which opened in July last year.

She said: “What I have seen today here at the Police Investigation Centre is an excellent example of two forces working together to deliver savings and in many ways working together to improve service.”

She said it freed up officers’ time so they could do their job out on the streets.

Bury St Edmunds MP David Ruffley, who invited Mrs May, said it was the first time a serving Home Secretary had visited the town in 50 years.

“So we are very proud to have Theresa here,” he said.

During her visit on Thursday, Mrs May also had private discussions with Simon Ash, chief constable of Suffolk police, Joanna Spicer, chairman of Suffolk Police Authority, and officers from the Suffolk and Norfolk constabularies.

Mrs May said the officers had spoken about the issues which affected them directly, such as alcohol-related crime and the amount of effort they have to put into policing late at night and into the early hours of the morning.

Mrs Spicer said they had been able to show Mrs May what happens to detainees at the Bury PIC, but also about what they do to prevent crime and make Bury a safe town.

She said: “It’s been a big day for Bury St Edmunds to have the Home Secretary here.”

Following her visit, Mrs May attended the Bury St Edmunds Conservative Association dinner, held at Bury St Edmunds Golf Club.