Latest East of England updates

Suffolk could get a countywide CCTV network as part of measures to tackle increasing demand on police, Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore has said.

Talk of the scheme emerged during Friday’s Police and Crime Panel held in Bury St Edmunds, where councillors on the panel were given updates and able to scrutinise the work of the PCC.

Addressing the panel, Mr Passmore said: “Why don’t we look carefully at a countywide network of CCTV?

“It does reduce crime, catch offenders and you can bet your bottom dollar I am absolutely behind that.

“If we are going to have this system, let’s have it supported properly for the next 10 years.”

Suffolk police said that victims of serious sexual offences and domestic abuse need to have confidence in the justice system in order to come forward.

Latest Suffolk police figures revealed that the number of serious sexual offences had increased by nearly 35% in the last 12 months compared to the three year average, while fewer than one in 10 were solved.

Less than 50% of domestic abuse cases reported resulted in a victim wanting to pursue prosecution.

Tim Passmore, Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner, said there was a “heck of a lot to do” but progress was being made.

A motorcyclist has died after a collision with a lorry in Norfolk this morning.

GoogleCopyright: Google

The biker, in his 50s, died at the scene in Salhouse Road (pictured), Rackheath, near Norwich.

Police were called at 08:50 and closed the road for four hours.

The driver of the Scania HGV was unhurt, they said.

Officers appealed for any witnesses, or those with dashcam footage, to come forward.

Suffolk's police and crime commissioner says the days of having bobbies-on-the-beat "have gone".

The county's police and crime panel has met in Bury St Edmunds to discuss a host of issues, including the perceived lack of visibility of officers in the community.

Public leaders had shared their concerns in a report published ahead of the meeting, with some stating that, particularly in rural communities, the level of police visibility was "none".

Speaking to the panel, Mr Passmore said the combination of increased workloads and a lack of funding from central government were factors.

He said it comes down to "resources and priorities".

BBCCopyright: BBC

About 20 shop owners and traders in Basildon could be evicted if they refuse to leave the town centre to make way for a new multi-million pound development.

Compulsory purchase orders were approved by Basildon Borough Council last night for an area which includes businesses in East Square, where a new cinema, restaurants and coffee shops will be built.

Conservative councillor Kevin Blake, for Burstead ward, said: "Most will go willingly, but perhaps not all.

The council insisted it will do its best to help people move and talks are expected to continue despite last night's vote.

Mr Blake added: "We don't want to force people to leave. But you can't hold up a project for the odd few."

Police have renewed their appeal for a missing teenager from Carlisle who hasn't been seen for over three weeks.

Joseph Charlott, 16, was last seen on 21 February in the Raffles area of Carlisle but has links to Hastings, Peterborough and the Clyde area of Scotland.

Cumbria PoliceCopyright: Cumbria Police

MPs have criticised an organisation which funded infrastructure projects in Peterborough before being liquidated.

Cambridgeshire Police have shared a picture of a shattered windscreen to remind to motorists to always wear a seatbelt.

It follows an incident in which a car passenger, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was involved in a 30mph collision.

@cambscopsCopyright: @cambscops

"You can clearly see where their head hit the windscreen. Please just #WearIt," the Cambridgeshire force tweeted.

The North East Cambridgeshire Conservative Association is split over a rule change that has allowed party activists to de-select four district councillors – three of them cabinet members.

GoogleCopyright: Google

Staff at a Peterborough shopping centre say they are working with Anglian Water after shoppers complained about a bad smell.

As first reported by the Peterborough Telegraph, visitors to Serpentine Green in Hampton have complained of a smell of sewage at the centre, which is home to a number of shops, restaurants and cafes.

The smell issue was raised by Roy Proud, who tweeted:

In response, a spokesman for the centre, which was subject to a large upgrade last year, said: "We are working with drainage companies and Anglian Water to identify the problem to resolve this.

"We hope that this will be resolved soon."

There are continuing problems on the roads around Cambridge this afternoon after a collision between four lorries and a car on the A14.

The westbound carriageway is down to one lane at Bar Hill, having been completely shut earlier, with severe delays back to junction 12 of the M11.

The Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Hertfordshire Roads Policing Unit has shared this image...

@raodpoliceBCHCopyright: @raodpoliceBCH

This Google Traffic Flow map gives an overview of the delays:

GoogleCopyright: Google

Two men have been jailed after a staff member had a gun held to his head during a "violent" armed robbery at a Bournemouth jewellers.

GoogleCopyright: Google

Mustafa Ali, 25, of Sandringham Road, Dalston, east London, and Michael Adiat, 23, of Maundeville Street, Lower Clapton, east London, admitted robbery and possession of a firearm at Franses Jewellers on Westover Road on 31 January last year.

Ali also admitted raids in Essex, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire.

Ali was jailed for 16 years with five years on licence. Adiat was jailed for 12 years with three years on licence.

Quote Message: This was a violent offence and a very frightening ordeal for the victims, who all showed considerable bravery in the circumstances. from Det Con Jo Regan Dorset Police

This was a violent offence and a very frightening ordeal for the victims, who all showed considerable bravery in the circumstances.