David Ruffley MP is launching an investigation into Suffolk knife crime following his receiving new House of Commons figures, during his questioning of Vernon Coaker, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office, which reveal that the number of people convicted of carrying a knife in a public place in Suffolk is at its highest level since 1997.

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

Across the whole of the East of England the picture was even worse with region seeing a staggering 142 percent increase in convictions.

David is concerned by the rising level of knife crime in Suffolk and has tabled a further series of Parliamentary questions on the subject and taken the matter up with the Acting Chief Constable of Suffolk, Colin Langham-Fitt.

David said:

'The increase in the number of knives being carried on the streets of Suffolk is of real concern.

'In recent weeks the tragic results of knife crime have become acutely apparent to the residents of Bury St Edmunds and Suffolk.

'Since 1997 the number of people in Suffolk convicted of carrying a knife in a public place has increased by 123 percent. This is a truly alarming statistic.

'Therefore, I have today tabled a series of House of Commons questions, investigating knife crime and the proliferation of knives in Suffolk, to further look into this important subject. In addition I have taken the matter up with the Acting Chief Constable of Suffolk, Colin Langham-Fitt, asking what steps his force is taking to clamp down on knife crime.

'The people of Suffolk are entitled to feel safe as they conduct their day-to-day lives and the apparent increase in the number of people carrying knives on our streets will not give them the peace of mind they deserve.'