Despite fears that street prostitution might be returning to part of what used to be the town’s red light district, Ipswich MP Ben Gummer is confident the authorities can ensure it is eliminated again.

A concerted strategy following the Steve Wright murders 10 years ago saw street prostitution banished from the streets of the town – including the area around the town end of London Road which had become notorious for the trade.

Over recent weeks there had been reports that one or two women were working there again – a move which prompted civic leaders to issue a statement repeating their determination to drive out the trade again.

Mr Gummer was one of the signatories, and is very hopeful that action taken over recent weeks will stamp out the problem

He said: “I understand there was just one or two women seen working there and that the police and other authorities have immediately taken action. I hope that will end it right away.

“I had not heard about this until a few weeks ago – and I’m sure if there had been an issue there over a period of time I would have been contacted because the residents of London Road are very attuned to this kind of thing.”

Mr Gummer said that since he became MP in 2010 he had had reports of street prostitution in other parts of the town, but he had immediately reported it to the police and it had been stamped out straight away.

His fellow MPs in the House of Commons remain interested in how Ipswich dealt with prostitution in the wake of the murder of six women by serial killer Wright – who is now serving a whole-life sentence in prison.

Mr Gummer said: “I remain extremely proud of the way the town dealt with such a horrific event with sympathy and a determination to ensure this problem is eliminated from Ipswich.”