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Open Letter to Suffolk Police Authority 18 November 2008 The Chairman Dear Sir Detainee Processing Unit at Martlesham Heath Martlesham Heath Householders Ltd is a non-profit making company whose primary aim is to maintain the open land on the village, to ensure the environment of the village is retained and to represent the interests of its shareholders. Our membership has expressed a very high level of concern about the creation of a Detainee Processing Unit at the Police Headquarters at Martlesham Heath. As you are no doubt aware, Suffolk Coastal District Council sent out 306 letters to residents of Martlesham Heath who live nearest to Police Headquarters. We hope you are aware that all 306 replied and all were against the proposal. This, we understand, is an unprecedented level of response and objection and something which, as an organization who values the support of the local community, we believe you should be very concerned about. We believe that if SCDC had sent out consultation letters to the whole village the response would have been much the same. The great concern of our membership is the release of detainees into the local area. The facility will have 36 cells for the detention of suspects and will take arrested persons from a large area of Suffolk. The throughput of detainees must be in the region of 40 a day, possibly more with bail returnees. We note that the SCDC planning case officer, Mr Martin Price, mentions that the Police have made it clear in their application that in many instances those that are being interviewed (and subsequently released) will not be guilty of any offence. He failed to mention that a good number of them would be on bail for further enquiries/Crown Prosecution Service decision-making/ID procedures. Many of these detainees will of course be charged either on initial detention or when returning on bail. You must accept that a not inconsiderable group of these individuals will be persons with many previous convictions and little or no regard for other people’s property or safety. Our membership feels that Suffolk Constabulary will have to bear the responsibility for any increase in crime that occurs in the area. The detainees will be released at all times of the day and night, often into an area they do not know. While the bus links to Ipswich Town Centre are quite good during the day they are much less frequent at night, always assuming the released person has the money to get back into Ipswich. There are concerns that these individuals may end up wandering the streets of Martlesham Heath at all times of the day and night. Some of these detainees will be on bail for robbery, sex offences, serious assaults, burglary and theft. A number of them will be found guilty, and be repeat offenders. There is a fear that there will be an increase in crime, especially burglary and taking without consent. The car parks at Police Headquarters could themselves be targets. We understand that Suffolk Constabulary is going to some considerable expense improving site security at Police Headquarters. This appears to be somewhat at odds with the statement that there is no increased risk to the people who live in the area. We look to you both for some reassurance that these persons will have a level of aftercare and direction back to their home on release from Police Custody and an assurance that the levels of Police Patrols will be raised in light of the increase of known criminals being in the area. Yours faithfully Tony Mahoney Open letter, copied to: The Chief Constable |
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