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A crime prevention initiative led by Suffolk Constabulary’s Licensing team has been recognised by the College of Policing after driving a notable drop in serious and sexual violence in the county’s night-time economy (NTE).
The seven-month project, which ran from September 2023 to March 2024, was part of the force’s work under Serious Violence Duty and focused on tackling violence against women and girls linked to licensed venues in Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds.
Working closely with venues, licensing officers introduced a series of practical interventions, from welfare training and new staff roles to environmental design changes and high-visibility patrols. Officers also used data to identify hotspots for repeat offences such as drink spiking, sexual assault and weapon possession, targeting these areas through engagement and crime prevention measures.
Among the project’s outcomes:
- 75 fewer crimes recorded compared to the same period the previous year
- A 47% drop in serious or sexual violence associated with licensed premises
- An estimated cost saving of £99,000 for the force
- Over 2,800 people directly supported through welfare interventions and police patrols
Licensing officers worked with the five busiest nightclubs in the focus areas to implement venue-specific welfare policies. These included assigning a dedicated ‘welfare officer’ during busy periods, offering free soft drinks, setting up calm spaces for vulnerable individuals, and using tactics like ‘The Power of Hello’ to check in on guests who appeared distressed.
Additional measures introduced during the project included:
- Drug testing and breathalysing as entry conditions
- Use of an SOS Bus to support vulnerable people on high-risk nights
- Surveys to gather public perceptions of safety and target poorly lit or under-monitored areas for CCTV and street repairs
Acting Inspector Dan Peck, who led the initiative, said the project shifted the role of police officers in the NTE from reactive to proactive.
“Crime in the NTE has continued to reduce and 2024 saw a 29% drop in incidents linked to licensed premises,” he said. “While this project isn’t the only reason for that shift, it’s helped to create a culture change in venues — one that puts vulnerability and early intervention front and centre.”
The project’s impact and methods have now been published on the College of Policing’s Practice Bank, a national platform that shares effective policing strategies. Suffolk Police has also launched its own internal Practice Library to encourage innovation across departments and support future submissions to the College.
“It’s a real privilege to see our work shared nationally,” added Dan. “We want to keep building on it – and finding ways to make these safer nights out the norm, not the exception.”
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