High Sheriff sets sights on youth reoffending rates

A new county high sheriff says she wants to support work to stop young people reoffending "because we can't just keep building more prisons".

Gulshan Kayembe, from Felixstowe, has been made the High Sheriff of Suffolk for 2025/26.

The role is a 12-month independent, non-political royal appointment.

Ms Kayembe, who has a background in education, said: "When you look at who is in prison, especially men, significant numbers have been excluded from school - so what is it that we don't do to address the underlying needs?"

The title of High Sheriff dates back to Saxon times, with the holder responsible for law and order and collecting taxes.

Nowadays, there are 55 High Sheriffs across England and Wales who support the judiciary, crime prevention agencies, emergency services and the voluntary sector.

Ms Kayembe was formally sworn in during a ceremony at Ipswich Crown Court on 27 March, taking over the role from Yvonne Gilchrist-Mason OBE.

Her work is supported by the Suffolk Community Foundation, which hosts the annual High Sheriff Awards.

Latest government data shows that almost six out of 10 offenders jailed for less than a year go on to break the law again.

Speaking to BBC Radio Suffolk after her first month in post, Ms Kayembe said: "I have decades of experience in education which tells me there are groups of pupils who are more vulnerable when it comes to getting into bad company.

"There are organisations in Suffolk that do wonderful work, and I'm interested to visit them, and bring that community voice together with the services.

"So more decisions can be taken by being informed with what is being done on the ground by communities themselves, so we can focus more of our work and collaborate more effectively."

Hannah Bloom, chief executive of Suffolk Community Foundation, said: "Gulshan is well known to the foundation as a previous trustee and also in her role as chair of Ipswich Community Media.

"We look forward to working with her to help promote her theme of 'Equity through Prevention', which will focus on working collaboratively to prevent children and young people offending or leaving education."

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