POLICE in west Suffolk have been praised after it emerged the number of crimes solved in the district had risen to nearly 40%.

Laurence Cawley

POLICE in west Suffolk have been praised after it emerged the number of crimes solved in the district had risen to nearly 40%.

Suffolk police's basic command unit for west Suffolk, which covers St Edmundsbury, Forest Heath and Babergh, was compared with 14 similar units around the country.

The figures show the west Suffolk team was the best of the lot in terms of solving crime,

In 2008/2009, the unit solved 36% of the recorded 18,579 crimes - up by 6.2% on the previous year

Western Area Commander Chief Superintendent Paul Marshall said: “These figures are testament to the hard work of all officers and staff in the west over the past year. Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT)are now firmly embedded in their local communities, and the reduction in offences such as criminal damage, which SNTs are often involved in tackling, shows what progress they are making.

“I am delighted by the reduction in crime and outstanding detection rate, putting West Suffolk ahead of other similar areas in the UK. Suffolk is a safe county and this should help people living and working in the west feel even safer. With such a reduction comes a reduction in the number of victims; but those people who do find themselves a victim of crime can feel even more confident that offenders will be brought to justice.

“Officers have been particularly concentrating on reducing the number of burglaries, robberies and vehicle crime, and this has been achieved. However we will not be complacent - the area is committed to further reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, and working with communities and partners to achieve this over the next 12 months.”