A man has been stabbed in the body and slashed in the head during a knife attack which happened after two masked men entered an Ipswich property and an argument broke out.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Borough Councillor Peter Gardiner was shocked to hear of the attack. Picture: ARCHANTIpswich Borough Councillor Peter Gardiner was shocked to hear of the attack. Picture: ARCHANT

The incident happened on Wednesday April 29 at around 10.40pm at a property in Marigold Avenue, Chantry.

Two men, wearing balaclavas, entered the house and reportedly argued with another man who was at the property.

The man, in his 40s, was then attacked by the two suspects and sustained stab wounds below his right shoulder, was slashed in the head, beaten on his leg and sustained a wound on his wrist.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment. However, his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening or life-changing.

Ipswich Star: Jamie Hart (left) and Paul Stansby founded the Be Lucky Anti-Knife Crime Foundation after the fatal stabbing of Dean Stansby in 2017. Picture: BE LUCKY ANTI-KNIFE CRIME FOUNDATIONJamie Hart (left) and Paul Stansby founded the Be Lucky Anti-Knife Crime Foundation after the fatal stabbing of Dean Stansby in 2017. Picture: BE LUCKY ANTI-KNIFE CRIME FOUNDATION (Image: Be Lucky Anti-Knife Crime Foundation)

The suspects fled the scene in the direction of Hawthorn Drive and officers now believe the attack was a targeted incident.

Peter Gardiner, Ipswich borough councillor for the area, was appalled to hear about the attack and said: “I am shocked at this happening in a time of lockdown and this just highlights how issues can get out of hand.”

He explained how there have been several drug-related incidents in his ward but that this is certainly not something which happens all of the time.

Mr Gardiner has reassured the community that the attack is believed to be an isolated incident and added: “This is a well liked area and the people in it take good care of it, but when it is on your doorstep it does bring it home.”

Jamie Hart lives in Chantry and has campaigned about knife crime for several years after the death of his friend Dean Stansby in a stabbing in 2017.

He went on to found the Be Lucky Anti-Knife Crime Foundation with Dean’s brother, Paul Stansby, to tackle the issue.

“I’m a bit shocked really,” Jamie admitted. “It’s just crazy that people are still doing this instead of staying at home, it’s a mad situation really.”

Mr Hart has friends who live on the same road where the attack happened and his parents are situated nearby.

He lives just a few minutes walk away himself and added: “Everyone should be locked down right now and doing their bit for the country, not this – I would have thought that people would be rather be sat at home right now.”

Anyone who has knowledge of the incident or saw any suspicious activity in the area should contact Ipswich CID, quoting crime reference 37/23882/20 either via email or online.