Having analysed recently published Home Office crime statistics (for the financial year 2003/04) it is clear more robbers are going unpunished across the Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket areas. The detection rate for robberies has fallen by 8% to just 29% in the last year across the Western sector of Suffolk Constabulary, which covers both Bury and Stowmarket. This now means that two thirds of all robbers are not being caught for the crimes they commit.

Mr Ruffley said:

"We already know that many types of violent and sexual crime are rising. But worse, we can now see that fewer criminals are being punished for robberies. More muggers are getting away scot-free with their actions, and their victims are not seeing proper justice.

"This is not the fault of our dedicated Suffolk policemen and women. Our police officers in Suffolk are working hard, but are being dragged down by Whitehall bureaucracy that prevents them from patrolling the streets and catching criminals. This is why Conservatives want to see a greater emphasis on neighbourhood policing, a greater say for local people on how police forces are run, and for them to be backed up by more money for an extra 379 police officers across Suffolk.'

'That is why at a meeting I have just had with the Chief Constable of Suffolk, Mr Alastair McWhirter in the House of Commons I asked him how he could cut paperwork for police officers. If police officers do less form filling at the station they will be able to spend more time on the streets. I asked the Chief Constable to give me a full briefing from a police officer as to how long it would take to fill in a form if that officer made an arrest for shoplifting or robbery in Bury St Edmunds. I want to get an idea as to how many hours this takes the average police officer off the street once they make an arrest. I will be having this briefing shortly from a beat officer and I am grateful to the Chief Constable for agreeing to this.'