Arson attack on Ipswich home

AN Ipswich man fears he may be the target of vigilantes after suffering several attacks including an attempt of arson on his home.

Colin Hayles, 49, was at his Ipswich home, in Derby Close, at 2am last Thursday when lit newspaper was put through his letterbox.

He said being awake at that time in the morning probably saved his life as he is a deep sleeper and fears he may have been harmed if he had been asleep.

Mr Hayles said: “Two days before that three of the tyres on my car had been slashed and because this has been going on for some time I have had CCTV installed.

“I was sat on my sofa checking the CCTV footage when my dog Ollie started barking. I saw the letter box flap but thought it was probably the wind.

“Then I started to smell smoke and realised newspaper I had put out for recycling earlier that day had been lit and pushed through the door.”

Mr Hayles said attacks started on his home about a year ago and include an incident last November when the nuts on his car wheels were loosened.

He said: “I was driving to Plymouth when I it started to feel like I had a flat tyre. I stopped the car at the side of the road to check and realised all four wheels were loose. It is very unlikely to have happened by itself.

“I could have been seriously injured that time.”

He has reported the incidents to police and says he has been advised to move out of the flat he lives in which is owned by the Ipswich Borough Council.

He added: “They warned me to move out but why should I? Anyway whoever is doing this might just follow me to a new house. I am on a waiting list with the council to move anyway but it could be a while as yet.”

Police confirmed they had been called to two incidents at Mr Hayles' house this year.

Anyone with information on either is asked to call Pc John Alcock at Ipswich police station on 01473 613500.