STREETS in Ipswich are fast resembling strife-torn areas of Belfast, an ex-trucker has claimed as car fires and drunken youths continue to pockmark the town's landscape.

By Victoria Knowles

STREETS in Ipswich are fast resembling strife-torn areas of Belfast, an ex-trucker has claimed as car fires and drunken youths continue to pockmark the town's landscape.

David Cullum said Lindbergh Road in Ipswich is littered with black marks on the road where cars had been set alight and left to burn.

"We have to be on our guard all the time. Kids ride about on motorbikes and in cars then set light to the cars. I have lived in this road for eight years and on the estate all my life and things have really gone down hill. I used to be a lorry driver and used to drive through some of the roughest estates in Belfast. Sadly this area is becoming more and more like them.

"The youths have shouted abuse at my step-daughter and it is really worrying. It has got out of control and the kids seem to have nothing to do round here. I have sat at my window and watched their mindless vandalism and it is worrying."

Mr Cullum is not alone in his concern although other residents did not want to be named

One woman who has lived in Lindbergh Road for 30 years said she has always been happy there but over the last 18 months she has found life is going down hill in the area.

"There have been four burned out cars in the area within a week and it is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.

"They used to go to the 405 club car park in Bader Close but barriers have been put up now so no-one can get in there. You get up and go to work in the morning and there are more burned out cars.

"I just don't know who to turn to about it as the police can't do anything until something else happens but it would be nice to see more police activity in the area.

"If I could move I would, but it is a shame. I get on well with the neighbours around here but it really is quite frightening," she said.

Inspector Andy Solomon said there have been suspicious fires in the area which they are looking in to.

He said: "Often we face problems because we do not have owners for the vehicles. We also suspect that many of the youngsters are not old enough to drive the cars and we would urge people not to sell their cars for a low price to youths. There have been suspicious fires in the area and we are currently investigating them.

"People need to be careful who they sell cars to and obviously if anyone experiences any problems we would ask them to let us know immediately so we can look in to the problem," he added.