MORE than 100 people have been arrested in east Suffolk over the past six weeks as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour during the festive season, it was revealed today.

MORE than 100 people have been arrested in east Suffolk over the past six weeks as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour during the festive season, it was revealed today.

Suffolk police said 45 people were arrested in the first three weeks of the Operation Nightsafe campaign, and another 64 during the final three weeks in Felixstowe, Leiston, Woodbridge and Lowestoft.

A large number of the arrests were for drunk and disorderly offences.

Of the arrests in the past three weeks, just ten were for assault with others including breach of ASBOs (anti-social behaviour orders), threatening behaviour, drink-driving and possessing an offensive weapon.

Det Ch Insp Phil Aves was delighted with the success of the campaign, and thanked the public and other agencies for their help.

He said: "There's no doubt that having additional police officers out on patrol has had a positive effect on the number of arrests and the number of offences committed, but there are other factors which have helped to make this a successful festive period.

"We have not seen the large scale incidents of some of the previous years as any problems have tended to have been nipped in the bud by the presence of officers and by their quick action to maker arrests for drunk and disorderly offences.

"We are also pleased that many revellers are beginning to take on board the sensible drinking message – that you can have a drink and have fun without going to extremes – and we'd like to thank our partners, including licensed venues and the media, for their support in helping to promote this message.

"Perhaps most importantly we'd like to thank those who went out and enjoyed themselves without causing trouble this Christmas."

Operation Nightsafe would continue this year with extra patrols as and when resources allowed and officers were determined to do all they could to enable the majority to enjoy a safe night our or to relax in their homes without evenings being ruined by a minority intent on causing trouble.

n What did you think of the police operation this Christmas and New Year – would you like to see that level of policing all year round? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk