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Public meeting with police leaders confirmed for Ipswich following MP's request

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Suffolk police leaders have agreed to host an additional public meeting in Ipswich on 15 October, following a request from Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich.

The big picture: Public meetings allow residents to engage with high-level police officials. Ipswich MP Jack Abbott criticised the original decision not to hold one in Suffolk's county town.

Why it matters: The U-turn, following requests from Abbott and a local councillor, ensures Suffolk's county town will be included in the schedule, addressing concerns about its initial omission.

Tim Passmore at a recent Street Meet event in Ipswich
Tim Passmore at a recent Street Meet event in IpswichSuffolk Police & Crime Commissioner

Event details:

  • Date: Tuesday, 15 October 2024

  • Time: Doors open at 6:00pm for a 6:30pm start

  • Location: It will be held at the Ipswich International Church Hall, 1 Burlington Road, IP1 2EU

What they're saying:

Abbott welcomed the decision: "I am pleased that the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable have listened to my concerns and will now be hosting a Police Connects meeting in Ipswich."

Tim Passmore, Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner, stated: "We have an extensive community engagement programme which covers events right across the county. In the last month I have joined the local policing team at three separate events in our county town centre and have engaged with a wide cross-section of the community."

Passmore added: "If any particular community requests a public meeting we do our best to accommodate this. Following a couple of requests from a local councillor and the MP we have organised a meeting in Ipswich on October 15."

What's next: Ipswich residents will have the opportunity to attend the meeting on 15 October to ask questions and learn more about local policing efforts.

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Has Fabio Wardley's 'dream' Portman Road fight moved one step closer?

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The British heavyweight champion and diehard Ipswich Town fan could see his ambition to fight at his beloved club become reality after a new licence application.

Why it matters: Ipswich Town Football Club has applied for a variation of its licence at Portman Road. The application has requested boxing or wrestling entertainment to take place between 12:00 and 22:30 on Sundays to Thursdays, as well as 12:00 to 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

West Stand at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
West Stand at Portman Road stadium in IpswichHolly Woodard-Williams

What they're saying: Speaking with the BBC, an ITFC spokesperson said: "Following infrastructure improvements to Portman Road over the past couple of years, it will not be uncommon for the stadium to apply for various licences to host events across different sectors; this is just one of many that will start to appear."

For context: British heavyweight champion and Ipswich Town fan Fabio Wardley said it was his "dream" to fight at the ground.

In October 2024, Wardley told BBC Radio Suffolk he wanted to fight at Portman Road, saying: "It's still the dream and it's on the cards".

"If anything it's closer than ever now because being with Frank Warren my promoter, he's done stadium shows before and he knows how to put them on.

"When it happens is still a massive question but pieces are definitely falling into place for this."

Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in IpswichAlamy

The bigger picture: Ipswich Town chief executive, Mark Ashton, said in November 2024 that the club had been in discussion with Wardley about appearing at the ground and that it was in the "pipeline" but not "imminent".

The details: The club has also requested to be permitted to include live music performances, playing of recorded music, dance performances as well as alcohol sales and late night refreshments.

Portman Road underwent a series of improvements last summer to prepare the ground for Premier League football, including new media facilities, more executive boxes and the introduction of safe standing areas at the ground for the first time.

What's next: Posters advertising the change have been put up in the area around the ground with people able to have their say on the change until 24 April.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

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