CRIME levels in Ipswich today appear to have returned to more normal levels after Neighbourhood Watch figures revealed a 39 per cent drop in reported crime in the past two weeks.
CRIME levels in Ipswich today appear to have returned to more normal levels after Neighbourhood Watch figures revealed a 39 per cent drop in reported crime in the past two weeks.
Earlier this month figures published in The Evening Star's crime map revealed the number of crimes had jumped from 57 to 103 in a fortnight.
But last week only 64 crimes were recorded by Neighbourhood Watch figures - which provide a sample of levels of crime across the town.
Chief Inspector Alan Caton said the drop could be attributed to police efforts targeting, in particular, the south west of Ipswich.
He said: “In the south west we have had lots of problems with anti-social behaviour, violence, criminal damage and vehicle crime.
“We have made concerted efforts, adjusted patrol strengths and used high profile policing and it has made a bit of a difference and I am pleased with that.”
Ch Insp Caton said he was particularly pleased at the current low levels of burglary - with only three reported last week.
However, he reminded people not to be complacent, particularly as the nights begin to draw in.
An area he said needed attention was the current high level of vehicle crime.
He said: “Vehicle crime and criminal damage seem to be my big problems at the moment and we are doing what we can to work on that.
“People are leaving things like Satellite Navigation Systems on show and even when they remove them, they leave marks from suction pads on the windscreen.
“Thieves then break-in and go for the glove boxes because they think they are being kept out of view.”
He said people should keep their vehicles locked and remove all belongings from view.
Levels of vehicle crime have dropped slightly over the past week but are still above average.
Do you think crime is rising or falling in Ipswich? Write to: Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail: eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.
Weblinks: http://suffolk.testurl.co.uk/neighbourhoodwatch/; www.suffolk.police.uk; www.eveningstar.co.uk/news
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