Labour's Yvette Cooper aims to make town centres safer

Yvette Cooper was speaking after a walkabout in the town centre during which she met shoppers and businesses.

She said the town centre was a very friendly and welcoming place but it was important to ensure that people felt safe while visiting it.

Ms Cooper said: "People clearly have a great affection for the town centre but I did hear that there were problems with anti-social behaviour which can make it less attractive.

"It isn't good to have to deal with broken windows or general mess. That's why Labour wants to put another 1,000 police officers and PCSOs on the streets of the East of England." 

She was accompanied on her visit by Ipswich Labour candidate Jack Abbott and Ipswich Central Street Rangers who help to maintain safety in the heart of the town.

Ms Cooper added: "Investing in safety is absolutely vital to the prosperity of places like Ipswich. If people feel safe here they will visit more often, shop here more and use the restaurants, cafes, and leisure facilities that you have here."

Yvette Cooper and Jack Abbott with Buttermarket Centre manager Rebecca Bird. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

During her visit she saw the Buttermarket Centre where manager Rebecca Bird told her about some of the challenges faced with shop theft and anti-social behaviour - and also said she would like to see a more visible police presence.

Sharon Lochart from Geek Retreat meeting Yvette Cooper and Jack Abbott. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Ms Cooper also visited Dial Lane Books and Geek Retreat in Upper Brook Street which has proved increasingly popular after the Covid lockdowns as a place for people to meet and get together.

She said extra front-line policing could be funded by introducing a streamlined procurement body for all police across the country which could save hundreds of millions of pounds which could then be invested in front-line policing.