Ipswich has seen a spike in violent crime including three alleged murders, at least two shootings, a number of stabbings, and an alleged attempted rape in the last six months as well as two gunpoint muggings.
In the early hours of this morning police received reports that a gun had been fired at a property in Nacton Crescent.
Police have linked it with reports of shots being fired in Fuchsia Crescent at around 7pm yesterday, which led officers to seize a firearm, and a possible connection with an arson at a house in Dandalan Close.
The escalation in violent crime began in September when Ahmed Tarabi, 29, was arrested after the stabbing of Lloyd Fearon in Prospect Street.
Tarabi admitted grievous bodily harm with intent at Ipswich Crown Court and is waiting to be sentenced.
In November a teenager was shot in Siloam Place, off Duke Street.
And at the start of December Nathan Oakley and Barry Street were allegedly murdered at West Meadows on the outskirts of Ipswich.
Here we list the violent incidents that have occurred in recent months:
September 16 - Man stabbed in Prospect Street. A man is awaiting sentence after admitting GBH.
October 29 - Alleged armed robbery at Stoke Off-Licence, Austin Street. A man has been charged.
October 30 - Alleged armed robbery at Three Penny Convenience store, Bridge Street. The same man who has been charged over the Austin Street incident has been charged over this offence.
October 31 - Alleged armed robbery at Premier Stores, in Garrick Way. A man has been charged.
November 22 - 18-year-old shot in the shoulder in Siloam Place. Seven people have been arrested.
December 8 - Double murder inquiry launched after Nathan Oakley, 18, and Barry Street, 32, died following an incident at West Meadows Travellers Site. A 17-year-old has been charged with murder.
December 11 - Arson with intent to endanger life and criminal damage at West Meadows. Six people have been charged.
December 18 - Two men allegedly stabbed in Foundation Street. Since then, 11 people have been arrested, six of whom will face no further action.
December 21 - Gunpoint robbery at Co-op in Woodbridge Road. A man has admitted robbery and is awaiting sentence.
February 8 - Murder inquiry launched after Dean Stansby is stabbed in Ancaster Road. Seven people have been arrested.
February 15 - Two alleged gunpoint muggings in the Princes Street area and Old Foundry Road. Two 14-year-olds have been arrested.
February 22 - Two men were stabbed in the area of Hawes Street/Virginia Street. The wounded men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a third man arrested on suspicion of affray.
February 25 - A woman is attacked and allegedly sexually assaulted in Rope Walk. Two men have been charged with attempted rape and kidnap.
March 6/7 - Reports of gunshots fired in Fuchsia Lane and Nacton Crescent, plus an alleged arson attack at Dandalan Close. Three people have been arrested.
Yesterday two men appeared in court charged with attempted rape and kidnap after a woman who was walking home from a night out was attacked in Rope Walk early on February 25.
Last month Chief Inspector Simon Mills said: “How we deal with incidents and what we generate (publicity-wise) to the public might give the impression there has been an escalation of violence per se, but we have had incidents like this before.
Ipswich Borough Council leader David Ellesmere said: “Ipswich is still a relatively safe place. We shouldn’t lose sight of that. However, we are all aware there has been a noticeable increase in relative terms.”
Several of the incidents are believed to be linked to drugs and Ch Insp Mills added: “Ipswich is not unique in having a drugs issue.
“There is probably not a town in the country that doesn’t. There clearly does seem to be some sort of relationship between the drug trade and some of the violence we have seen.
“We are aware this is a problem. It’s going to come down to the police having to focus their resources on Ipswich to ensure it does not get out of hand.”
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