CRIME in Suffolk is falling, with almost 3,000 fewer offences in the past 12 months compared to the previous year, new figures have revealed.Many categories of crime, including violence, criminal damage and vehicle offences, saw a drop during 2007/08 - but the number of alcohol-related offences rose by 13.

CRIME in Suffolk is falling, with almost 3,000 fewer offences in the past 12 months compared to the previous year, new figures have revealed.

Many categories of crime, including violence, criminal damage and vehicle offences, saw a drop during 2007/08 - but the number of alcohol-related offences rose by 13.5pc (452 offences).

The news is revealed in Suffolk Constabulary's annual performance report, set to be discussed by members of Suffolk Police Authority on Friday .

It shows there were 48,330 offences reported in Suffolk during 2007/08 - down from 51,096 the previous year and a drop of 5.4pc.

Crime in all three operational areas of the county fell, with the eastern, southern and western sections of the force reporting reductions of 8pc (1,241 offences), 5.4pc (1,045) and 3pc (480) respectively.

Overall, levels of violent crime dropped 6.8pc (754 offences) compared to 2006/07.

In its report, the force said: “In respect of tackling public place violence, the constabulary has taken a pro-active stance including the issuing of fixed penalty notices before incidents have a chance to escalate and high visible presence in hot-spot areas and perhaps as expected, these measures have resulted in the recording of 334 more offences of 'violent crime committed in a public place' compared to last year.

“Analysis shows that many of these offences relate to the consumption of alcohol and trends indicate that alcohol-related offences are increasing, up 13.5pc against last year.

“The pro-active measures appear to be yielding some success in respect of 'more serious public place violence where drugs and alcohol are a contributory factor', which has seen a significant fall in 2007/08 when compared to the previous year - a reduction of 15.5pc.”

The number of domestic burglaries rose by 4.6pc (78 offences) and anti-social behaviour increased 10.9pc from 39,567 in 2006/07 to 43,891 in 2007/08.

The report said: “While any decrease is disappointing, the constabulary is aware that the introduction of Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs), the improved accessibility to police officers, and the support and encouragement given to those reporting anti-social behaviour, would potentially result in an increase in the number of incidents recorded.”