Why it matters: Operation Sentinel was established in 2019 to enhance coverage of Suffolk's road network. The teams aim to proactively disrupt serious and organised criminal activity and increase police visibility. They are funded by a precept increase for Band D properties, which cost taxpayers £1.6m in 2019.
By the numbers:
471 arrests made, resulting in 2,551 weeks of custodial sentences
£346,000 in proceeds of crime seized
£2 million worth of drugs seized
1,261 vehicles stopped
211 vehicles seized and removed from the road
The details: Police claim the Sentinel teams use various technologies to identify and intercept criminals, including:
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
Mobile fingerprint devices
What they're saying: Detective Chief Inspector Anna Powell said: "Our Sentinel officers are on the front line of ensuring Suffolk remains as inhospitable place as possible for those using our road network for their criminal activities."
Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore added: "The Sentinel teams were funded by Suffolk residents through the council tax precept and as the arrests show, the investment continues to pay dividends."
The bottom line: While the headline figures are encouraging, the long-term impact of Operation Sentinel on overall crime rates in Suffolk and the taxpayer-funded initiative's value for money remains unknown.
