David Ruffley MP has today released new House of Commons figures he obtained during his questioning of Vernon Coaker, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Home Office, which reveal that instances of criminal damage in Suffolk have shot up by 67 percent since 1997.

In 1997 there were 7,835 recorded offences of criminal damage in Suffolk. In 2005/06, the latest year for which figures are available, this figure was 13,067.

David Ruffley has written to the new Chief Constable of Suffolk Constabulary, Simon Ash, asking what explanation he has for this increase and what steps his force is taking to clamp down on criminal damage.

David said:

'These new House of Commons figures make for troubling reading. Recorded instances of criminal damage have gone up by 67 percent in Suffolk since 1997.

'I have taken this matter up with the new Chief Constable of Suffolk Constabulary, Simon Ash, and asked what explanation he has for this alarming increase and what steps his force is taking to reduce criminal damage offences.

'Criminal damage is one of those despicable crimes that can blight a local community and destroy the quality of life local people enjoy.

'I will continue to keep a close eye on these figures and press Suffolk Constabulary to do everything they can to protect the quality of life of Suffolk residents.'