David Ruffley

PERSONAL debt in Suffolk is higher than ever before - and the numbers of homes being repossessed has more than doubled in the last ten years.

Financial advisors around the county are being inundated with pleas for help from debt-strapped residents who are increasingly relying on credit to fund their lifestyles.

One expert told the EADT that there had been a 'huge increase' in personal debt, while another described the figures as 'shocking.'

NEW figures show the number of people carrying knives in Suffolk is at its highest level in 10 years.

In 2005, the latest year for which figures are available, 69 people were convicted of carrying a knife in a public place in Suffolk - an increase of 123 per cent since 1997 when 31 people were convicted.

The situation came to light after David Ruffley, MP for Stowmarket Needham Market and Bury St Edmunds, questioned Vernon Coaker, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office.

A SUFFOLK MP has voiced his concerned after new figures were released in Parliament today revealing a 64 per cent rise in the number of children subject to care proceedings in the county.

David Ruffley MP for Stowmarket and Bury St. Edmunds has claimed the new figures reveal that the increase in child care proceedings in the county are 'out of step' with the rest of the region.

He said: 'This could mean that either the County Council is making a particular effort in this area or that the situation in Suffolk is worse that in neighbouring counties.

A FARMERS' union has voiced its concern at the number of agricultural workers in Suffolk that have left their posts within the last 10 years.

Last year the total agricultural labour force in the county was 10,293 compared to 11,791 in 1997 - a drop of 1,498.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) said the number of people leaving the industry was a concern and that it was down to a number of factors.

SOARING levels of debt are today being blamed for the number of home repossessions in Suffolk doubling in ten years.

In 1997 there were 219 mortgage possession orders made at county courts in Suffolk.

Last year the figure has spiralled to 458.

The number of mortgage possession orders made at Ipswich County Court has increased by 70 per cent in ten years, while in Bury St Edmunds it has gone up by 109 pc.

BATTLES over unitary government in Suffolk took a new turn today as the county published its detailed rebuttal to the borough's bid for independence.

And as the county launched its campaign against the unitary move, its stance was backed by Suffolk MP David Ruffley.

He has written a letter to communities secretary Ruth Kelly warning that a unitary Ipswich would be bad for the county, and the town itself.

CAMPAIGNERS fighting for urgent road improvements in the aftermath of an horrific double fatal accident have had their hopes dashed.

A driver and his passenger were killed after their Fiat Panda was in collision with a 40-tonne lorry on the A143 at Great Barton, near Bury St Edmunds, on Thursday afternoon.

The latest fatalities on Suffolk's roads have prompted renewed calls for short-term improvements and ultimately a village bypass, which has been on the wishlist for decades.

GUN crime in Suffolk is increasing at an 'alarming' rate and is double the rate of Norfolk, an MP has warned.

Fifty-eight firearms offences were recorded in the county in 2005-6 compared to 29 in Norfolk and 34 in Cambridgeshire.

The figures were obtained by Bury St Edmunds MP David Ruffley who said gun crime had rocketed by more than 1,000% in Suffolk since 1997 when only five incidents were recorded.

The Conservative MP has now written to Suffolk police's new Chief Constable Simon Ash asking him to explain the rise.

CONCERN has been raised after it emerged the number of children involved in care proceedings rocketed by more than 60% in just one year.

The increase in care proceedings from 90 in 2005 to 148 in 2006 is 'out of step with the rest of the region' according to one MP.

The 64% increase in Suffolk compares with a rise of just 5% nationally over a four year period.

GUN crime in Suffolk is increasing at an 'alarming' rate and is double the rate of Norfolk, an MP has warned.

Fifty-eight firearms offences were recorded in the county in 2005-6 compared to 29 in Norfolk and 34 in Cambridgeshire.

The figures were obtained by Stowmarket and Bury St Edmunds MP David Ruffley who said gun crime had rocketed by more than 1,000 per cent in Suffolk since 1997 when only five incidents were recorded.

The Conservative MP has now written to Suffolk police's new Chief Constable Simon Ash asking him to explain the rise.