POLICE today took steps to reassure the community in a part of Ipswich which has seen several incidents of violence in recent days.

Grant Sherlock

POLICE today took steps to reassure the community in a part of Ipswich which has seen several incidents of violence in recent days.

A mobile police station has been set up at Barrack Corner at the Ipswich town centre end of Norwich Road after three people were arrested and two hurt in the space of three days.

Two men are today on bail while police investigate one incident while a youth is due to appear before magistrates at Ipswich Youth Court tomorrow.

Superintendent Alan Caton from Suffolk police said today: “We're responding to the needs of the community about anti-social behaviour and violence, fuelled by alcohol possibly.

“There have been incidents of violence and disorder that we are investigating.”

The trouble began when a 21-year-old man suffered a split lip in an incident in Austin Street at 9.40pm on Friday.

The following day a 23-year-old man suffered a cut to the head when he was struck with an unknown object in Clarkson Street at 9.30pm. The perpetrators of both attacks have not yet been identified.

On Sunday police made three arrests after trouble once again flared in the area.

A 25-year-old man and a 20-year-old man, both from Ipswich, were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder at 9.45pm on Sunday after an incident in Clarkson Street.

Both men have been bailed to return to Ipswich police station on September 15 pending further enquiries.

The 16-year-old due in youth court tomorrow was arrested in Bramford Road at 9.55pm on Sunday in connection with a public order offence and faces charges of disorderly conduct and criminal damage to a custody cell.

It is believed all the incidents are linked.

Members of the Kurdish and Polish communities from the area were involved in a meeting with police and other agencies yesterday to discuss the situation.

A Suffolk police spokesman said today the mobile police 'pod' was in place for “public reassurance”. It is thought it could remain in the area for at least a week.

She said: “It's predominantly staffed by town centre officers and police community support officers.”

Officers have been patrolling the area and speaking to residents.

- Did you witness any of the incidents in the Norwich Road/Clarkson Road area? What do you think? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk