Street brawls as tension boils over

SIMMERING tensions between some YMCA residents and asylum seekers today prompted an Ipswich hotel owner to speak out about living in the middle of a growing storm.

By Tracey Sparling

SIMMERING tensions between some YMCA residents and asylum seekers today prompted an Ipswich hotel owner to speak out about living in the middle of a growing storm.

Simon Oram from the Bentley Tower Hotel in Ipswich told how he watched in horror as residents from the Norwich Road YMCA and the nearby Wilbury House clashed in an early morning fight, leaving two men badly injured.

Mr Oram claims that the week before the fight broke out, he had complained to the council and police nearly every night about the growing problems. He said earlier this month the shouting, swearing and threats blew up into a full-scale row in the street outside.

Just days before that incident he claimed a man was bitten in the face within the YMCA.

He said: "For the previous six nights, with the exception of one night, either myself or my mother complained about the noise. It wasn't just music, but shouting, swearing, screaming, fighting. It was escalating every night."

Then early on August 3, he stood and witnessed the aftermath of an attack which ended in six men being arrested.

FULL STORY IN TONIGHT'S EVENING STAR