POLICE today greeted a remarkable 13 per cent downturn in crime in Ipswich with cautious optimism.

The reduction is set against a backdrop of Suffolk Constabulary having to find savings of more than �17million over four years, a drop in officer numbers, and a raft of high-profile events which have stretched resources.

Ipswich’s top police officer Superintendent Martin Ransome said his was delighted with a reduction of 799 recorded crimes between April 1 and August 31, compared to the same period last year.

Over the five-month period there were 5,210 offences recorded in the town. There were sharp drops in many categories including violent crime with injury, muggings, house burglaries, and sexual offences.

In addition, there has also been a four per cent increase in crimes being solved with 36pc of all offences being detected.

Among the other types of crime to show substantial decreases were vehicle crime, criminal damage and shoplifting.

The crime-busting success has been put down to various initiatives which have been put in place.

Despite having to manage resources during football’s Euro 2012, the Diamond Jubilee, the Olympic Torch coming to Suffolk and sending officers to the Games in London, the initiatives appear to have been working.

Other tactics which have contributed to offences decreasing include a strategy aimed at maximising the opportunities for DNA evidence, and working with local authorities, the probation service, and drug and alcohol specialists to give intensive supervision and support to people where necessary.

An integrated offender management programme has also been used as a tool to help drive down crime.

Stressing there was no room for complacency, Supt Ransome said: “I am particularly pleased about the drop in the priority offences the public told us were important.

“We have also managed to stem the tide on shoplifting, which had previously seen year-on-year rises, and have had a reduction for the first time in six years.

“We have put more officers into our Priority Crime Team, which has been tackling robberies and specifically house burglaries, with a particular focus on those repeat offenders who have been committing these type of crimes.

“We have also been carrying out some targeted police patrols in neighbourhoods based on predictive analytical assessment.

“This is in the context of significant operational challenges and events starting with football’s European championships, the Diamond Jubilee, the Olympic torch relay and the Olympics.

“I would really like to praise the Safer Neighbourhood teams, and partners who have worked with us.”