Sudbury mayor says more needs to be offered to young people

Alison Owen, town mayor, has called on the community to come together to reduce the number of anti-social behaviours being carried out. 

This comes after fire crews from across Suffolk and Essex were called to the blaze at the former Delphi site in Newton Road at about 5.10pm on May 28.

The following day police confirmed a boy, 14, had been arrested on suspicion of arson and bailed until July 6. 

The aftermath of the Delphi blaze (Image: Joe Collins)

Cllr Owen said: "Whilst I will not and never will condone vandalism and wilful damage to property, I feel we as a responsible community need to look for ways to reduce the environment that creates the need to cause damage.

"This is not just a Sudbury problem and it is not something I alone can deal with, I and others before me have been looking for solutions to this problem over time, but it seems to be getting worse." 

Sudbury mayor Alison Owen (Image: Sudbury Town Council)

She explained she would like to form a group including police, teachers, children, council representatives and parents, to seek a solution. 

"We have been aware for some time that there is little for young people to do in the evenings and at holiday times in and around Sudbury, any attempt to seek a solution will require a great deal of support both in effort and finance," she said.

"I will do whatever I can to engage with others to find a way forward."

In April, three people including two teenagers were arrested after officers were called to Belle Vue Park in Cornard Road, to reports that youths had broken into an outbuilding and caused damage. 

The group then fled towards the town centre, where they dispersed upon police arrival.

A 13-year-old was arrested on suspicion of burglary and released on bail until May 22, pending further enquiries. He was then re-bailed to June 19.

A 33-year-old woman was arrested and issued with a conditional caution for the offences of using threatening/abusive words/behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress; and obstructing/resisting a constable in execution of duty.  

A 14-year-old boy was also arrested on suspicion of using threatening/abusive words/behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, criminal damage, obstructing a police officer and assault with intent to resist arrest.

Police have confirmed this was resolved by way of HOCR Outcome 22, defined as “Diversionary, educational or intervention activity, resulting from the crime report, has been undertaken and it is not in the public interest to take any further action.”