Recorded crime in Suffolk has decreased over the past year while the proportion of those being solved has risen, according to the latest police data.

Suffolk Constabulary’s figures, published yesterday, for the year ending March 31 2014, identify a 7% drop in recorded crime and a 2.4% rise in the solved rate, compared with the previous 12 months.

The improvements, which equate to 2,793 fewer crimes, and mean that more than a third of those reported were solved, have been attributed on the “dedicated and determined” work of police officers and staff.

Chief Constable Douglas Paxton said: “Our performance this year reflects an organisation which is dedicated and determined to make Suffolk safer. Crime is down and our solved rate is up, reflecting a real team effort by officers and staff across the force.”

“It is important to remember that crime statistics don’t give the full picture of a local policing service. Just as important is the quality of service we offer local people, particularly when they become victims of crime. Our figures show that victim satisfaction has increased and we are attending over 90% of our emergency incidents within our target, which is an improvement on last year. I believe this reflects the desire of our officers and staff to offer a professional and caring service to all those who need our help.”

Police have highlighted the fact that the achievements have been made while making significant savings through collaboration with Norfolk Constabulary. The two forces are delivering a wide range of operational policing and support services together.

Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore has also welcomed the improvements, which he said reflect the ambitions set out in his manifesto “to make Suffolk a safer place in which to live, work, travel and invest.”

“I am delighted to see that overall recorded crime has fallen in the county over the past year. These latest figures are very encouraging and are an excellent reflection on the dedication of the Constabulary’s officers and staff,” he said.

Last November Mr Passmore to ensure that the crime figures were “recorded appropriately” after MPs were told they are routinely “fiddled” at forces across the country. ““It is extremely important that victims report all crime to the police and it is equally important that police officers categorise and record these crimes accurately,” he said.

The fall in recorded crime was achieved in all categories other than drug offences, which increased by 6.3%. Decreases were particularly evident in domestic burglary, which decreased by 24% and robbery, which was 17% beneath the previous year.