The war on anti-social behaviour is being won as new figures for Suffolk reveal incidents have dramatically fallen.

According to statistics from Suffolk Constabulary’s Police and Crime Plan Performance Progress Report, there were 27,964 incidents of anti-social behaviour in the 12 months ending June 30 - a fall of 24.4% on the previous year.

It is a marked fall on the three-year baseline average of 33,926.

Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore hailed the robust approach taken by those behind the drastic reduction.

He said: “We must pay tribute to the whole of the police force, PCSOs and constables in our safer neighbourhood teams who have helped deliver this very welcome news.

“Of course this still further to go as we have still got 27,964 recorded in the last 12 months so this is the beginning of the journey of success in the coming years.

“One of the reasons for this fall is a more robust approach that we are not prepared to tolerate people behaving like this as it can have a very serious impact on victims.”

In June 2010, around 4,000 anti-social behaviour incidents were reported compared to around 2,500 in June this year.

Chief Constable Douglas Paxton was delighted with the reduction and said the crime is a priority in Suffolk and considered key to improving people’s confidence and satisfaction in their police force.

“Suffolk is a very diverse county and anti-social behaviour can affect different people in many different ways,” he added.

“In 2010 Suffolk police introduced anti-social behaviour teams throughout the county that work to anti-social behaviour minimum service standards, ensuring a consistent response to all residents.”

The multi-agency teams consist of police and council officers who work with other teams including the Youth Offending Service, Suffolk Primary Care Trust, Drugs and Alcohol Teams and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service.

They work to reduce instances of anti-social behaviour and reassure victims that their issue is being taken seriously.

Ch Con Paxton said: “Furthermore if upward trends are recognised in local communities then a reduction in anti-social behaviour can be set as a priority by the local safer neighbourhood team and partner agencies.

“It is pleasing to see that as a result of the work being done the rate of recorded anti-social behaviour has reduced by 37% since its peak in June 2008.”

In Essex there were 56,939 incidents of anti-social behaviour reported to Essex Police between August 2012 and July 2013 - a drop of 3.5% on the previous figure of 58,979.