POLICE today hailed a sharp drop in crime rates as a sign that their tactic to return beat officers back into communities was working.

POLICE today hailed a sharp drop in crime rates as a sign that their tactic to return beat officers back into communities was working.

Suffolk police said there had been a “significant overall reduction” in crime in south Suffolk, the area covering Ipswich, Hadleigh, Capel and Sudbury.

The force said crime had dropped by 7.7per cent in the period from April to June compared with the same period last year.

The total number of offences during the three-month period fell from 5,471 last year to 5,049 in the same period this year.

The force also said there had been a 35pc reduction in serious violent crime in a public place, with offences dropping from 454 to 293, and a 42pc fall in robbery offences.

There were 28 separate robbery offences between April and June, down from 48 during the same period last year.

Meanwhile, violent crime fell by 15pc - from 1,147 incidents to 969, while burglaries in dwellings fell by almost half, 47pc, from 270 to 142.

Superintendent Alan Caton, southern area operations manager for Suffolk police, said: “I am delighted with these positive figures and I hope these offer some reassurance to the public.

“Keeping the public safe and reassured by providing the highest quality policing service is one of the key aims of our Suffolk First For You initiative.

“The dramatic reductions can be attributed to a number of factors including the introduction of ten Safer Neighbourhood Teams across the area in March this year.

“Putting police officers and PCSOs back into the hearts of communities where they are visible and accessible can only have a positive effect.

“Working with communities and our partners to identify local concerns and solve problems is proving both successful and rewarding.

“I also offer my thanks to the public as they play their part in these figures - by not only influencing what happens in their local community, but by also being aware of their personal safety when out and about and by heeding crime prevention advice in securing their property for example.

“Let's not become complacent. We must continue working together to keep up these great results.”

If you have any information in relation to a crime then call Suffolk Police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

To report a crime contact Suffolk Police on 01473 613500 or 999 if it is an emergency.

If you would like information on crime reduction then contact your local crime reduction officer via the switchboard on 01473 613500.

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