Slow response to double-attack appeals

DETECTIVES today described the response to an appeal following two serious attacks in Ipswich as “disappointing”.

Ipswich police are urging the public to come forward after a man was left fighting for his life after being assaulted by a gang of men just 500 yards from, and one hour after, a woman was subjected to a terrifying sex attack.

Officers dealing with incidents, which could possibly be linked, today said progress on getting witnesses to come forward had been slow.

It has also been revealed that although the injured man is conscious and stable in Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, officers will not be able to speak to him for a number of days on the advice of medical staff.

Detective Inspector Darrin Tomkins, said: “This was a serious attack and the response following appeals has been disappointing so far.

“Our appeal for witnesses continues, although the attack happened in the early hours of the morning we are sure vehicles would have been travelling along St Helen's Street and we hope someone may have noticed these three men who had been making a lot of noise as they were walking along the street and were jumping into and out of the road.”

The attempted rape happened between 12.45am and 1.10am on Sunday . Three men chased a woman into St Helen's Street before cutting her dress and trying to rape her.

At 2.20am in Grove Lane, six men set about a 21-year-old man with a stick leaving him fighting for his life.

DI Tomkins said: “We have had a couple of calls from people who were in the area around the time the incident happened and follow up enquires will be made in relation to these calls.”

Anyone with information about the crimes is asked to call Suffolk police on 01473 613500.