A drop in knife crime is "little consolation" to victims but "good news" for Suffolk, says the county's police and crime commissioner.

New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that 303 reports of knife crime were recorded by Suffolk police between June 2023 and June 2024. 

The figures from ONS also show that Suffolk has fewer knife-related incidents to more built-up parts of the country as the data indicated a drop in knife crime. 

Suffolk Police bosses have said the figures show that the county is one of the safest in the UKSuffolk Police bosses have said the figures show that the county is one of the safest in the UK (Image: PA Media)

Suffolk was ranked third for lowest levels of recorded crime in the country, having been ranked 13th less than four years ago. 

Tim Passmore, police and crime commissioner for Suffolk, said: “These are a very positive set of statistics which again show Suffolk as one of the safest places in the country to live and work.

“I appreciate these statistics may be little consolation to anyone who has been a victim of crime, but it is good news for Suffolk as a whole and a credit to Suffolk Constabulary."

Suffolk Police and Crime commissioner Tim PassmoreSuffolk Police and Crime commissioner Tim Passmore (Image: Newsquest) Recorded cases of weapon possession were down by 1% from June 2023 to June 2024 and may be set to fall further after 'zombie' knives were banned in September of this year. 

The new data shows the lowest recorded number of knife crime cases since March 2016, when 277 cases were recorded.

Deputy Chief Constable for Suffolk police Rob Jones said: “Declining levels of recorded crime do nothing to alleviate the personal trauma and distress victims of crime experience.

The Knife Angel was constructed with over 100,000 seized blades as a tribute to victims of knife crime, shown here in HaverhillThe Knife Angel was constructed with over 100,000 seized blades as a tribute to victims of knife crime, shown here in Haverhill. Pictured, West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy and West Suffolk councillor Joe Mason (Image: Archant)

"But to add some context, in the period covering December 2019 to December 2020 the force was ranked 13th in the country – we are now third. That clearly shows the progress we have made in recent years.

Rob Jones of Suffolk policeRob Jones of Suffolk police (Image: Suffolk Constabulary)

Overall knife crime in Suffolk has reduced by 38% since 2022 as has bicycle crime, stalking and harassment, robbery and sexual offences. 

Meanwhile recorded cases of shoplifting, burglary, and vehicle offences have risen in the same period.