The total number of firearms offences in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and Suffolk has risen from 274 in 2000-2001 to 394 in 2001-2002.

All the counties saw increases except Suffolk which saw a drop from 22 cases to 15.

GUN OFFENCES 2002 (2001)

Bedfordshire 82 (48) Cambridgeshire 49 (31) Essex 98 (77) Hertfordshire 69 (36) Norfolk 26 (20) Northamptonshire 55 (40) Suffolk 15 (22) Thames Valley 267 (198)

The figures, released by the Home Office, show that gun crimes have risen nationally by 35% in a year.

Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire saw the biggest increases in gun crimes.

The number in Bedfordshire increased from 48 to 82, and in Hertfordshire from 36 to 69.

Essex recorded the highest number of gun crimes in the East with 98 cases.

Norfolk and Suffolk had some of the lowest levels of gun crime in England.

Inspector Bob George, head of firearms training and operations for Norfolk Police, said: "Every report we get we will commit an armed response to it.

"It is probably the area of crime where the most resources are dedicated."