POLICE today suggested removing a junction box as a solution to problems of anti-social behaviour in an Ipswich street.Darrin Tomkins, west Ipswich inspector for Suffolk police, said the object acts as a meeting place for groups of youngsters causing problems in Bramford Road.

POLICE today suggested removing a junction box as a solution to problems of anti-social behaviour in an Ipswich street.

Darrin Tomkins, west Ipswich inspector for Suffolk police, said the object acts as a meeting place for groups of youngsters causing problems in Bramford Road.

He said: "I see the catalyst of the problems down there as a junction box, which provides a focal point for youngsters to gather.

"They're always comfortable for kids to lean on. I've tasked my community police officer to speak to the service provider to see if we can design out the problem or move it.

"I would hope this would stop groups gathering in the area."

His comments were made in response to claims by resident Damian Lagan that troublesome youngsters are terrorising the area.

He said: "Night after night, both myself and my house suffer re-occurring acts of vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

"The same children are being reported time after time and still nothing is done. Each time this happens I'm having to pay out to repair and replace items that are damaged. On a weekly basis, this is getting costly."

Mr Langan, 26, said he has lost his telephone, television and cable services for up to a week at a time because of vandalism to a nearby junction box.

He said: "They use my house as a bashing block to vent their anger. I'm at my wits end."

Mr Langan, who has the backing of fellow resident Helen Wood, believes introducing closed circuit television cameras in the street would solve his problems.

Otherwise, he believes a serious accident may happen.

He said: "We're trying to get closed circuit television cameras (cctv) down here.

"The kids are always in the road and it's only a matter of time before gets hit or a car ends up in someone's front garden."

Insp Tomkins said he is doing all he can to solve the issue, but is not looking to stop children having fun.

He said: "We're aware of the problem and are seeking to eradicate it. But what I'm not trying to stop is normal social activity among kids.

"I'd like to reassure the community this isn't a problem on the scale of others in other parts of the town."

A spokeswoman for Ipswich Council said there are no current plans to introduce cctv in the area.

Is there an anti-social behaviour problem in Bramford Road? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk