There has been a rise in weapons crime in the last two years, particularly in the east Suffolk region.

According to data from the Office for National Statistics, Suffolk overall has seen a 16% rise in possession of weapons offences in the last year ending June 2023.

The area that saw the greatest rise in the county was east Suffolk, which includes Suffolk Coastal and Waveney, which increased from 125 to 167 offences between 2022 and 2023, a rise of 34%.

This is compared to a 13% rise nationally, across England and Wales, in the same category.

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There has also been an 11% rise in Ipswich, from 169 to 188, and 14% in West Suffolk (which includes Babergh, Mid-Suffolk and West Suffolk areas), from 232 to 265.

A Suffolk Constabulary spokesperson said: “Violent crime involving weapons is a national, societal issue and we all have a part to play in keeping our communities safe.

“Stop and search is one of the ways policing can keep members of the public safe by removing weapons from our streets.

“We also carry out regular proactive police work, including Operation Sceptre which runs twice a year to tackle knife crime, high-visibility patrols, targeted patrols to hotspot locations and community engagement to help solidify our connections with local people, who feel safer in reporting issues and concerns to us.

“We routinely work with partners such as schools to raise awareness of the dangers of carrying knives and offensive weapons and educate about the possible consequences, and with other partner agencies to disrupt the activities of criminal groups operating in the county who may carry weapons.

“Suffolk Constabulary will always take robust and appropriate action against people found to be illegally in possession of a knife and are determined to take positive measures to prevent offences by removing knives and offensive weapons before any harm is caused.”