A church in Ipswich held an open day on Saturday to provide a place for quiet contemplation following the violence that has erupted in the town over the last two weeks.

Reverend Trevor Golding, vicar of St Augustines Church, in Felixstowe Road, said: “We just wanted to make space available to anybody who wanted somewhere to pray and to maybe light a candle - a place to be able to chat in a safe and controlled environment. I think it has raised questions of faith in these circumstances when a young life has been taken and where God is in all of this.

“Some people have questions, some just want to express their emotions.

“I think there’s shock in the community as both stabbings in our parish happened in broad daylight in front of friends and families

“Both have been a huge shock as they were so public and flagrant

“I think the message is we are here to help and support in any way we can.”