Haverhill residents can now have their say on community safety as part of a new countywide survey launched by Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore. The Public Perception Survey, published on 1 July 2026, asks people across Suffolk about their experiences and concerns, with the findings set to directly inform the Police and Crime Plan that guides Suffolk Constabulary operations.
The independent survey, conducted by SMSR Research, aims to reach between 5,000 and 7,000 residents each year through telephone and targeted face-to-face interviews. A trial run took place in June ahead of the full launch this month, and the questions are aligned with the Crime Survey for England and Wales, allowing for national comparisons. Tim Passmore described the initiative as a tool to ensure policing priorities reflect what people are actually experiencing on the ground.
The project is a partnership between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Suffolk Constabulary, and every district and borough council in the county, all working through the Safer Stronger Communities Board. It is funded by councils using business rates, and the contract with SMSR Research runs from 1 May 2026 to 31 March 2028 at a cost of £280,000 excluding VAT, with an option to extend through March 2030.
Once collected, the results will go to the Safer Stronger Communities Board, Community Safety Partnerships, and the Suffolk Office of Data Analytics for use in local needs assessments and strategy development. The survey has been designed to provide a reliable, evidence-based picture of public sentiment, building on earlier themed consultations and work that fed into the 2025–2029 Police and Crime Plan.
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