CRIME in Suffolk is falling, with almost 3,000 fewer offences in the past 12 months compared to the previous year, new figures have revealed.

CRIME in Suffolk is falling, with almost 3,000 fewer offences in the past 12 months compared to the previous year, new figures have revealed.

Many categories of crime, including violence, criminal damage and vehicle offences, saw a drop during 2007/08 - but the number of alcohol-related offences rose by 13.5per cent (452 offences).

The news is revealed in Suffolk Constabulary's annual performance report, set to be discussed by members of Suffolk Police Authority on Friday .

It shows there were 48,330 offences reported in Suffolk during 2007/08 - down from 51,096 the previous year.

Overall, levels of violent crime dropped 6.8pc (754 offences) compared to 2006/07.

In its report, the force said: “In respect of tackling public place violence, the constabulary has taken a pro-active stance including the issuing of fixed penalty notices before incidents have a chance to escalate and high visible presence in hot-spot areas and perhaps as expected, these measures have resulted in the recording of 334 more offences of 'violent crime committed in a public place' compared to last year.

“Analysis shows that many of these offences relate to the consumption of alcohol and trends indicate that alcohol-related offences are increasing, up 13.5pc against last year.”