SUFFOLK: Police today vowed to continue their war on drug dealers who “ruin society” after it emerged that nearly 600 drug-related arrests were made in the county last year.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show there were 596 such arrests in Suffolk last year – including 218 for trafficking controlled drugs.

There was a similar number in Cambridgeshire (585), but both of these figures are considerably lower than the 1,073 recorded in Norfolk.

In total, there were more than 2,000 made across East Anglia.

Of the arrests in Suffolk, more than 200 related to cannabis – this comes after it was revealed there were 37 cannabis factories uncovered between January and December, 2010.

However, in Suffolk, the number of arrests for drug offences are falling year-on-year, while they are rising in neighbouring counties, the figures show.

A police spokesman said: “Suffolk police has a multitude of priorities that officers focus on to ensure people remain and feel safe in the county.

“During previous years, we have focused heavily on identifying and prosecuting drug dealers.”

n Is enough done to tackle drug-related crimes? Write to Your Letters, The Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or you can send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk