CRIME rates in Suffolk are on course to fall by more than 2% by the end of this financial year, despite police undertaking one of the biggest investigations in the force's history.

CRIME rates in Suffolk are on course to fall by more than 2% by the end of this financial year, despite police undertaking one of the biggest investigations in the force's history.

According to performance indicators there were a total of 38,940 offences recorded within the nine months since April 2006.

By the end of March the number is expected to rise to 51,494 - a reduction of 1,337 on last year and a drop of 2.5%.

However, the number of violent crimes committed in a public place relating to alcohol or substance misuse remains high at 2,852.

The figures were revealed in a performance report due to be discussed by members of Suffolk Police Authority on Friday.

The drop in crime rates comes despite the constabulary mounting the largest investigation in its history in December following the deaths of five Ipswich women who went missing from the town's red light district.

It means Suffolk has the sixth lowest crime rate nationally and that police chiefs are reviewing their performance targets for 2007/08 - looking for a reduction of about 1% to around 51,000 crimes committed.

The reports says: “This would acknowledge the success of the Constabulary in achieving a 2.5% (projected) reduction in overall crime during 2006/07, and maintaining one of the lowest crime rates nationally.

“It would also acknowledge that to achieve similar reductions in 2007/08 would be unrealistic.”

However current performance rates also indicate that the number of violent crimes committed in a public place relating to alcohol or substance misuse is at 2,852 (of which 60 related to substance misuse).

This is expected to rise to 3,657 by March this year and in excess of 3,800 by the beginning of the financial year in 2008.

Meanwhile the overall number of violent crimes committed in a public place (those not just relating to alcohol and drug misuse) stands at 5,668 and expected to rise to 7,292 by the end of March.

As a result the report recommends a minimum target be set to reduce the number by 5% next financial year to 6,927 - 380 fewer offences.

“This would be broadly in line with the longer term average and represent an improved performance on the projected level of 7,100 offences,” the report says.