A man who was kidnapped at knifepoint in Ipswich in broad daylight had boiling water poured over him while his captors demanded money, it emerged today.

More details have emerged over the shocking incident, which took place on Monday afternoon.

The victim, who is in his mid 20s and has been named locally as John, was parked in a silver Mercedes in Bell Close, Ipswich at 3.15pm when two men got into the car and threatened him with a knife.

He was forced into the back of a car and driven to a house where he held captive for about three hours. However, details of where he was taken to still remain sketchy.

The man was blindfolded and his captors demanded money. During the ordeal he suffered burns to his chest, stomach and arms when his captors poured boiling water over him.

The victim was eventually allowed to leave and given his car keys.

While being kept captive, he was forced to tell his attackers he lived in Cemetery Road and when he returned home he discovered it has been burgled.

The thieves stole handbags, jewellery and a laptop among other items.

He was taken to hospital for treatment but has since been released.

Today, a friend of John described him as a nice man who didn’t deserve to be “tortured”.

“He is a nice young man and I wish him all the best,” she said. “He didn’t deserve to be tortured.”

Police are looking for five culprits in relation to the kidnapping. The first is described as a white woman, around 20-years-old, of slim build, with long black hair.

The second woman is white, tall, aged 24 or 25, with long brown hair.

The first man is described as black, under 6ft, of a large build, and around 24 years old. He has braided hair down to his neck, with a short beard and he was wearing an earring.

The second man is black, around 6ft, of muscular build. He is 36 or 37 with shaved hair, sideburns and earrings.

The third man police want to speak with is described as being mixed race, under 6ft and around 24. He has shaved hair and a short beard.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ipswich CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.