Community leaders have made renewed calls to tackle escalating violence in Ipswich after a suspected firearms incident was reported at a house just months after shots were fired in the same street.
Suffolk police said it was “looking into the possibility that a firearm was discharged” at a property in Kelly Road, Chantry, in the early hours of this morning.
A member of the public had contacted police at lunchtime to raise concerns for the safety of a resident and report damage to the property’s front door.
No one is thought to have been injured in the incident – however it has caused concerns for public safety, particularly as there have been other violent disturbances in the area.
In June, police confirmed that a gun had been fired during a separate incident in Kelly Road in which items were set on fire and thrown at a house.
Residents at the time described being woken in the early hours of the morning by “loud bangs” which “sounded like gun shots”. It prompted police to carry out armed patrols in the area to reassure residents. Officers said the June incident appeared to be “targeted” and there was no threat to the wider community.
Helen Armitage, who represents the Chantry division at Suffolk County Council, said she would be meeting with police and other community leaders to discuss ways of dealing with the growing violence in the town.
“It’s very worrying,” she said.
“There are a lot of families with young children around there and no one wants to become mixed up in incidents like this.
“We need to make sure that everything that can be done is being done to keep people safe and make them feel safe.”
Ms Armitage said many of the recent problems in the town appeared to be connected with drugs. “It’s getting out of hand,” she added. “Every time I hear reports of gunfire in Ipswich it makes me worry for my children and myself. I’m sure all the people in Kelly Road are feeling exactly the same.”
A police cordon is in place around the damaged property in Kelly Road, which is near Chantry Park, and an investigation has been launched. A police forensics van was also at the scene.
Anyone with any information should contact police on 101 quoting incident number 195 of Sunday November 5.
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