RESIDENTS have today called for a higher level of policing in their troubled area of Ipswich.More than 70 neighbours packed into a public meeting at Bramford Road's Sikh temple in a plea for help to resolve anti-social behaviour problems in the Adair Road and Henniker Road areas.

RESIDENTS have today called for a higher level of policing in their troubled area of Ipswich.

More than 70 neighbours packed into a public meeting at Bramford Road's Sikh temple in a plea for help to resolve anti-social behaviour problems in the Adair Road and Henniker Road areas.

The meeting was called after troubles came to a head last month when the former Churchills pub, on Bramford Road, went up in flames in a suspected arson attack.

Inspector Martin Barnes Smith and community police officer Trevor Dale, from Suffolk police, and Ipswich Borough councillors Albert Grant and George King were barraged with questions from the public.

The meeting, on Wednesday, was organised by husband and wife Bruce and Ros Stout and their neighbour Iana Burton, all of Henniker Road.

Mrs Burton said: "The problems are down to youngsters drinking and not being controlled.

"I don't understand why police don't work harder to stop youngsters drinking, why can't they just take it off them?

"There's vandalism, fighting, residents being assaulted and being scared to leave homes, broken glass scattered everywhere."

Other concerns raised at the meeting included the availability of alcohol to under 16s and the lack of CCTV in the area.

Residents said police often do not attend when they report incidents and were not visible enough to prevent troublemakers.

Insp Barnes Smith said the police were already working with housing associations, residents' associations and nearby shops to try and identify the core troublemakers.

He said: "We want to sort this out once and for all.

"Unless we know what's going on it's very difficult for us to deal with it but at the meeting the residents have painted a picture for us.

"We all need to work together, the community needs to be our eyes and ears."

Councillor Albert Grant said: "There is a problem, I've seen it myself. I've seen adults go into shops, buy alcohol and then give it to youngsters in the streets 100 yards away.

"I understand how people feel, I live it too. I was in the old Churchills pub at 10pm on the night it was burned down at 10.15pm.

"I know the strength of people's feelings."

What do you think about anti-social behaviour in North West Ipswich? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk