David Ruffley MP has unearthed new figures from a Home Office Minister showing a dramatic rise in the number of crimes in which firearms are used in Suffolk.

The figures were revealed in a Parliamentary question that David Ruffley tabled in the House of Commons. The most up to date figures show that the number of crimes involving firearms almost doubled between 2000 and 2001 in Suffolk. In 2000 there 69 offences recorded but this figure increased to 136 by 2001.

David Ruffley said, 'The figures that I have unearthed show that crimes involving firearms have increased rapidly in Suffolk in recent years. Our county has seen an eightfold increase in the number of firearms crimes recorded since 1997.'

'These figures are extremely concerning as crime throughout Suffolk is on the increase. Our communities in towns and villages have witnessed an increase in many types of crime particularly violent crime and these figures are worrying.

'In comparison to Norfolk, our county has far more than twice the number of recorded crimes involving firearms. Since 1997 Norfolk has had a reduction in the number of crimes involving firearms from 75 in 1997 to 57 in 2001. I am deeply concerned.'