SUFFOLK police have been contacted by four people after ex-Norwich City player Craig Bellamy allegedly abused an Ipswich Town fan during a pre-season friendly on Monday night.

SUFFOLK police have been contacted by four people after ex-Norwich City player Craig Bellamy allegedly abused an Ipswich Town fan during a pre-season friendly on Monday night.

The 29-year-old West Ham player had pulled up with an injury and was walking towards the tunnel when he allegedly swore at a fan in the family enclosure and made reference to Ipswich prostitutes.

The Welshman, whose career has often courted controversy, had to be restrained by a member of West Ham staff.

The issue of prostitutes remains a sensitive subject in Suffolk following the murders of five sex workers in late 2006.

Pc Mark Norman, Suffolk police's football intelligence officer, confirmed last nightthat he had been contacted by four people regarding the alleged incident, although he could not go into any details.

He said: “Police are following up four enquires from members of the public as a result of the alleged incident. All of these people will be spoken to and information will be collected and then we will decide on the next course of action.”

Lowestoft resident Deryck Ayers, who was at the game with his six-year-old daughter Imogen, said he was shocked by the incident. “He was not very nice. I was shocked because I had my daughter there and there were other kids around in the same area.”

A spokesman for Ipswich Town said the club would cooperate fully with the police. “From our point of view we are aware of an alleged incident. If we are asked too we will give 100% cooperation to the police.”

A spokesman for West Ham said: “We will help the police if requested too but at the moment we have not heard from them. If we are contacted by the police we will act accordingly.”

The West Ham player made 84 appearances for Norwich City between 1997 and 2000, scoring 32 goals. Monday's pre-season friendly finished Ipswich Town 3 West Ham 5.