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Over 90 arrests in summer road safety campaign

News

Suffolk Police made 92 arrests during July as part of a month-long campaign targeting the "fatal four" driving offences.

The big picture: The operation focused on drink/drug driving, mobile phone use, speeding and not wearing seatbelts, and coincided with the UEFA Euro 2020 football tournament.

Why it matters: July typically sees a 20% increase in road deaths and serious injuries compared to the yearly average, according to 2018-2022 data.

By the numbers:

  • 92 arrests in total, 67 arrests for drink or drug driving

  • 84 drivers caught using mobile phones

  • 46 people not wearing seatbelts

  • 4,514 speeding offences detected

What they're saying: Talking about the results, Inspector Gary Miller of the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads & Armed Policing Team said of those caught that "their actions could have had devastating consequences."

Tim Passmore, Suffolk's Police & Crime Commissioner, called the results "disappointing" and "disturbing", adding: "I find it incredible that despite all the publicity and the extra enforcement, people are still not heeding the message."

What's next: Suffolk Police say they will continue to run similar campaigns to educate road users about the risks of dangerous driving behaviours.

Award-winning photographer adds new portraits to Ipswich exhibition

News

Internationally renowned photographer John Ferguson has unveiled a new series of portraits celebrating female artists from Suffolk at his exhibition in Christchurch Mansion.

Why it matters: The new 'Suffolk Creatives' collection addresses a gap in documenting the region's artistic talent, specifically highlighting the contributions of female artists who have previously lacked collective representation.

Dide by John Ferguson
DideJohn Ferguson

The big picture: Ferguson's exhibition, 'An Eye For Life', has been running since last summer at the Wolsey Art Gallery. The exhibition spans his 25-year career, featuring photographs of global celebrities, including David Bowie, Oasis and Dolly Parton, alongside local projects such as the Ipswich Banger Racers series.

What they're saying: "The exhibition has proved incredibly popular with visitors," says Councillor Carole Jones, Ipswich Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Planning and Museums. "These images tell stories of people's lives - challenging the viewer and changing perceptions of identity and portraiture, yet they are approachable and intimate too."

Edwina and Sahara by John Ferguson
Edwina and SaharaJohn Ferguson

Who's featured: The new portraits showcase 11 female artists, including:

  • Dide: Award-winning multi-disciplinary artist and composer

  • Jennifer Hall: Artist, sculptor and printmaker

  • Juliet Gilkes Romero: Award-winning playwright and journalist

  • Hannah Debnam: Self-taught taxidermist

What's next: The public can meet Ferguson at a drop-in event on Saturday, 25 January, from 14:00 to 15:30 at the Wolsey Art Gallery.

The bottom line: The exhibition, which is free to enter, will continue at Christchurch Mansion's Wolsey Art Gallery until 27 April 2025, featuring both the new 'Suffolk Creatives' series and Ferguson's retrospective work.

An Eye For Life: Photography by John Ferguson

Celebrating themes of portraiture, identity and home, this exhibition will bring works by Ipswich-based photographer John Ferguson to the Wolsey Art Gallery.

  • Performing & Visual Arts
  • Multiple dates
  • 10:00-16:00
  • Every day
Photo a black lady in a sunflower field by John Ferguson
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