CRIMES involving weapons have fallen by more than a fifth in Suffolk in the past two years, The Evening Star can reveal today.Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show that weapon related crime peaked in the county in 2003, when 1,383 crimes involving weapons were committed over the year.

CRIMES involving weapons have fallen by more than a fifth in Suffolk in the past two years, The Evening Star can reveal today.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show that weapon related crime peaked in the county in 2003, when 1,383 crimes involving weapons were committed over the year.

That figure dropped to 1,106 crimes last year.

Statistics also reveal that gun and knife crime increased slightly in 2004 but then reduced in 2005 with 191 gun crimes (involving airguns, firearms and shotguns) in 2004 falling to 175 in 2005 and 373 crimes involving knifes in 2004 compared to 311 last year.

Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Gull, Head of Crime Management, for Suffolk police, said: “All violent crime in Suffolk continues to fall, violent crime where the presence of weapons was reported, has fallen by more than 20 per cent since 2003.

“Since 2003 Suffolk police have held a number of well publicised and well supported firearms and weapons amnesties.

“These amnesties have resulted in a significant number of weapons being taken off the county's streets.

“Other proactive work by police, to target locations associated with alcohol related crime as well as to improve liaison with partner agencies involved in the management of pubs and clubs, may also have had an impact on offences committed with weapons which include items such as bottles and glasses.

“Suffolk has one of the lowest crime rates in the country and it is important to remember that only a very small percentage of all violent crime actually results in a serious physical injury to the victim.”

The drop in weapon related crime appears to have followed a similar pattern across the county, with Ipswich experiencing a 20 pc drop.

Weapons used include bottles, glasses, CS gas, baseball bats, razors, hammers, nails and metal bars.

Knives have been the most frequently used weapons for the past three years.

Anyone with information about any form of weapon being held for criminal purposes is asked to contact Suffolk police 01473 613500 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.