A MAN is on bail today after being arrested suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery in Ipswich town centre.

A MAN is on bail today after being arrested suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery in Ipswich town centre.

The 41-year-old suspect's arrest came as a heavy police presence, including specialist firearms officers, has been stationed around the Dial Lane and St Lawrence Street area for more than a week.

The man was arrested after he attended Ipswich police station at 9.30pm last Friday.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said he was released after being questioned by officers.

The suspect is now on bail and must return to the Elm Street police station on August 18.

Throughout this week, last week and the latter part of the previous week police officers have been stationed in Dial Lane and St Lawrence Street.

In addition other officers and police vehicles have been located in the Buttermarket and at the junction of Tower Street and Tavern Street.

Their presence has provoked a great deal of curiosity among shoppers and workers in the town.

Last Friday police moved to reassure people that no crime had taken place.

The operation was described by one police source as “ongoing”.

It was launched after intelligence emerged suggesting a premises in the area may have been identified as a target by criminals.

However, detectives have stressed shoppers have nothing to worry about regarding the high levels of police activity.

A Suffolk Constabulary spokesman said: “We are unable to discuss in detail what is an ongoing operation.

“However, we can confirm a number of measures including additional policing have been put in place following information received that an offence may be committed at a town centre store.”