Suffolk MP Dr Dan Poulter has joined Suffolk police officers to get a taste of life on the beat during the busiest night of  the year.

Dr Poulter said his work as an NHS doctor meant he knows the additional pressures faced by our emergency services at this time of year.

And he was keen to show his support for police officers by once again shadowing them during a busy Christmas nightshift.

During the busy shift, Dr Poulter accompanied the officers to emergency callouts in central Ipswich, Felixstowe, Nacton, Woodbridge and to Ipswich Hospital.

Offences ranged from a number of domestic violence call-outs, drunk and disorderly behaviour, drink-driving, and helping to trace a missing person.

Dr Poulter MP said: “As someone who understands what it’s like to work over Christmas on the frontline of our emergency care services in the NHS, I know how important it is to support our Police and emergency services in their important work to keep us safe.

"In the run-up to Christmas, it was good to shadow our outstanding local Police officers and to see for myself the challenges and situations that they face on a daily basis.”

“In dealing with a number of difficult and, at times, confrontational situations, I was impressed at the professionalism, skill and diplomacy shown by the Officers.

"Our police force work hard throughout the year to keep us safe from harm. I would like to put on record my thanks to them for all that they do – at Christmas and throughout the year in protecting us all from crime.”