A 25-YEAR-OLD woman suffered cuts to her face after fighting off a knife-wielding robber in broad daylight in the centre of Stowmarket.The frightening attack has sparked anger at further delays in installing £365,000 worth of CCTV cameras in the centre of Stowmarket.

By James Fraser

A 25-YEAR-OLD woman suffered cuts to her face after fighting off a knife-wielding robber in broad daylight in the centre of Stowmarket.

The frightening attack has sparked anger at further delays in installing £365,000 worth of CCTV cameras in the centre of Stowmarket.

The cameras, due to installed in the town centre and car parks, were originally due to go live in November and then by February. The poles have now been erected, but the cameras are still not in place.

The woman was confronted in the Old Fox Yard just off the main thoroughfare in Stowmarket.

She was grabbed by the arm from behind by a man who then tried to snatch her purse. The woman resisted and the attacker drew out a knife. As she resisted she suffered two cuts to her face, but managed to get away.

A police spokeswoman, said: "She fought off her attacker and made her way home.

"She did suffer two cuts to the side of her face, but they were not serious injuries. If there had been CCTV cameras they would have covered the area of the attempted robbery, but as they are not up we have no footage.

"We are appealing for anyone in the area at the relevant times to contact us.''

Richard Wallis, chairman of the town's chamber of commerce, said: "The cameras would prevent this sort of thing, we need them now.''

Rebecca Scrase, spokeswoman for Mid Suffolk District Council, said: "We know how important this is and we take responsibility for trying to push this through as fast as we can.

"But delays have been outside our control. This is really unfortunate timing because if asbestos had not been found at the Regal Theatre these cameras would have been operational.

"The main control equipment is due to go in there, but because of the asbestos the BT contractors were unable to go in and install the equipment while it was shut.

"We hope to have cameras up and running now by the end of the month.''

Other communities have also had long waits for CCTV cameras, with 26 months in Gloucester and 18 months in Northampton.

Police, who released details of the crime yesterday, said the incident happened sometime between 12.30pm and 12.50pm on Wednesday last week.

Anyone with any information about the incident should contact officers on 01284 774100 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.