THREE people are recovering today after being the victims of a series of drive-by shootings – with blowdarts.The attacks, involving darts fired from a moving car, happened within ten minutes of each other in Woodbridge Road and left one victim hospitalised.

THREE people are recovering today after being the victims of a series of drive-by shootings - with blowdarts.

The attacks, involving darts fired from a moving car, happened within ten minutes of each other in Woodbridge Road and left one victim hospitalised.

The first incident happened at around 3.30pm on Saturday when a 24-year-old woman was crossing Woodbridge Road, near Argyle Street.

After feeling a pain in her stomach, she looked down to find a dart, which seemed to come from a blow gun, embedded in her abdomen.

Her husband, who had been crossing the road with her, also sustained a slight injury to his thigh. A second dart was found nearby.

The woman was taken to Ipswich Hospital where she was treated for her injuries and kept in overnight for observations.

The second incident happened at around 3.40pm the same day.

A 22-year-old man, who had just parked his car in Woodbridge Road, near to the Sidegate Lane traffic lights, felt a pain in his left buttock as he went to the boot of his car.

He discovered a dart and then saw a silver-coloured car driving towards the traffic lights.

The three darts, which have been recovered, are around 11cm long and have different coloured ends. Two were green and one yellow, although it is not known what type of weapon was used to propel them.

Detective sergeant Bernie Morgan said: "These are very serious assaults where the victims, especially the lady who received treatment at hospital, have been left shaken by their experience.

"We're hoping that someone may recognise these darts, or where they have come from. Equally we would like to hear from anyone who witnessed these incidents."

Calls in relation to this incident should be made to Pc Jim Goodall at Ipswich Police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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