TRADERS in a busy Ipswich road are becoming increasingly frustrated at the crime wave hitting their businesses and are calling for CCTV to be installed.

TRADERS in a busy Ipswich road are becoming increasingly frustrated at the crime wave hitting their businesses and are calling for CCTV to be installed.

Shopkeepers in Norwich Road say they are fed up with the constant thefts and robberies and want the council to take action and install cameras to deter would be criminals.

Roger Kerr, owner of the WAP Store, said: "Everybody around here has had enough. The situation is getting gradually worse and worse.

"In the last financial year I have had four break-ins and recently at least four of the surrounding shops have had burglaries

"The only answer is for a CCTV camera to be installed in a bid to try and deter the criminals."

In the latest incident the front window of the WAP Store was smashed and a £700 laptop was stolen.

But it is not just the thefts which are causing a problem in the area according to shop owners. They claim prostitution and drug abuse is also prevalent.

"Prostitutes tout for business around Burlington Road and I have found used needles outside my shop," said Mr Kerr.

He added: "If we had a camera at our end of the road it could cover most of the shops as well as the Burlington Road area.

"There is a camera situated near Coes but it doesn't cover or help us smaller shops.

"I have tried to contact the council but I can't get anywhere. The problem is getting too expensive for us. We all pay hundreds of pounds in business rates each month so I think the council should listen to our concerns and try and help us solve the problem."

A spokesman for Ipswich Borough Council said: "We are always reviewing locations for new cameras and looking at the effectiveness of current coverage."

In the latest incident, which happened at 6am on Friday, two men were seen breaking into the shop but escaped before the police arrived.

They are both described as black, aged about 16-17 and about 5ft 8ins. One wore black clothing and one wore a dark top with white sleeves.

Anybody who saw anything suspicious is asked to contact Pc Paul Canham at Ipswich police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.