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Haverhill's biggest event in recent memory, the visit of the Olympic flame on Saturday, passed off without any crimes or incidents causing police any problem.

Although an estimated 15,000 people descended on the streets to watch the Torchbearers and the procession pass by, local police and stewards were only required to help ensure it had a clear passage.

The town's police chief, Insp Peter Ferrie said it was the biggest day he had seen in his time in the police and they had a full team of 20 oficers and 60 volunteer stewards in place.

"There were no arrests, no incidents to cause a problem for police and no issues in relation to the event," he said.

"There was no crime reported anywhere in the town or anywhere else attributable to the event. It was just a wonderful, wonderful community event for the town. It was just brilliant.

"I was pleased and proud to be involved in the planning of it with Howard Cook from St Edmundsbury Borough Council and Nick Keeble from Haverhill Town Council.

"On the day everyone did their job and it all worked wonderfully."

He revealed police had a tow-truck standing by to remove any cars parked in the way of the route, but in the event there were none so it was never needed.

Nor were there any traffic problems caused by the dispersing crowds afterwards.

Suffolk County Council have reported that in all over 250,000 people turned out to support the local Olympic Torch Bearers as they made their way through Suffolk last week.

Thousands of Suffolk people lined the streets to celebrate the arrival of the Olympic Flame as it made its way through the county over the three days.

The break down for each day was: Thursday 153,000, Friday 11,000, Saturday 101,000, making an overall total of 265,000.

Cllr Colin Noble, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member responsible for the Olympics, said: "I am thrilled to see so many people have turned out to support the torch as it made its way through Suffolk.

“I would like to say a big thank you to all those who put in the hard work to make this such a roaring success. The atmosphere along the way has been incredible and I am certain this has been an experience that will stay with people always."