HUGE numbers of police on the streets for the red light killings investigation have contributed to a huge drop in crime in Suffolk last month, it emerged today.

HUGE numbers of police on the streets for the red light killings investigation have contributed to a huge drop in crime in Suffolk last month, it emerged today.

Latest statistics show that there were a total of 3779 crimes in the county in December 2006 compared to 4365 in December 2005 - a drop of 13.4 per cent.

Domestic burglaries dropped by a huge 47.5 pc from 160 in December 2005 to 84 last month.

December's overall crime figure is the lowest in the county for more than four years and coincides with the biggest investigation in the force's history which saw hundreds of extra officers drafted in and a huge police presence in Ipswich.

Assistant Chief Constable Jacqui Cheer said there are a number of factors responsible for the drop, not least the number of officers out on the streets.

She said: “Traditionally this is a time of year, with darker nights and gifts in the home, that you sometimes see a rise in the number of burglaries.

“It could be people staying in of an evening or an increased uniform presence on the streets or that people committing crime elsewhere outside Suffolk.

“The public has helped us by locking things up, being careful with cares and taking heed of crime prevention advice.”

Asst Ch Con Cheer said the big drop follows steady decreases in crime across the county since the summer and analysts are working hard to find out what can be done to keep the rates falling.

“The statistics could well level out in January,” she said. “We need to keep on top of what's happening.

“We are already putting more resources into communities through neighbourhood teams and this is set to continue.”

Meanwhile during December the number of 999 calls increased by four per cent of which 96 pc of the total were answered in 10 seconds.

The number of non-emergency calls increased by 22 pc.

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