SAFETY measures have been stepped up at Endeavour House and Grafton House to ensure staff members get in and out safely of the offices in the red light district.

SAFETY measures have been stepped up at Endeavour House and Grafton House to ensure staff members get in and out safely of the offices in the red light district.

A mini-bus has been used to ferry hundreds of staff members from the Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council headquarters to car parks in the area and to the train station for the town.

The decision was made following information that the five murder victims are thought to have disappeared from the surrounding streets.

The office buildings are situated in close proximity to Ipswich's red-light district, raising fears for staff.

Sandra Graffham, spokeswoman for Suffolk County Council, said: “We wanted to do something to ensure the safety of our staff and have also stepped up security from guards directly outside.”

A spokeswoman for IBC said: “The two councils have agreed to fund a mini-bus for the next fortnight to take staff to car parks in Ipswich and the rail station.

“They will run from 4pm to 6pm every weekday on an ad-hoc basis. It will be on a taxi-style from the drop off bay directly outside the front of Grafton House.”

The mini bus will take staff to the Portman Road car parks, Ipswich Village car park (behind Zest night club) and Ipswich railway station.