WELCOME FALL IN CRIME FIGURES

A Welcome Fall In Crime Has Been Hailed By Police Chiefs In
Waveney

The eastern area of Suffolk - which covers Waveney, Suffolk Coastal
and Ipswich - has seen a significant overall reduction in crime of
6.6pc in figures recorded from last April to January.

But there's an even better picture in the Waveney district, which
covers Lowestoft, Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth, Southwold and
surrounding areas, as this total figure has decreased by 8pc.

The greatest drop was in stolen cars, which fell by 22pc from 143
offences in April to January of 2006-7 to 112 offences in the same
period of 2007-8. Violence against the person, robbery and criminal
damage were also down. In all, crime fell in Waveney from 7,830 cases
in the same period a year ago to 7,207 in the last 10 months - 8pc
down.

Across the eastern area, there were 23,851 crimes compared to last
year's figure of 25,549.

However the number of serious drugs offences has risen by 19pc in
Waveney, from 42 last year to 50 this year, but officers say this is
due to the fact that they are targeting drugs dealers and therefore
recording more offences.

Overall the sanction detection rate, which is when something is done
with the offender such as a court summons, a fixed penalty, or a
caution, is 33.8pc, which is the highest in the east area and above
the force target of 37.1pc.

Chief Supt Martin Jelley, the east area commander, said: "I am
delighted with these positive figures and would like to take this
opportunity to pay tribute to all the officers and staff within the
east area, many of whom do a difficult and dangerous job. Through
their hard work and commitment we have achieved a significant
reduction in crime.

"This is about family members being less likely to become a victim of
crime, and I hope these figures offer some reassurance to the public."

With the rise of the Safer Neighbourhood Teams being highlighted as
making a difference within the local community, Chief Supt Jelley
added: "Drugs is a concern to many people who live and work in
Suffolk. Serious drug offences have increased but that is largely due
to the proactive work undertaken by officers.

"Operation Academy in Ipswich and Operation Utensil in Lowestoft,
where we have arrested and charged a large number of drug dealers,
have both achieved excellent results in the past year, and we will
increase our efforts to build on this success to drive individuals who
persist in coming in to our area to sell drugs out of the county and
into prison."