AN IPSWICH restaurateur today claimed a spate of attacks on his Indian takeaway could be racially motivated.Mohibur Rahman's Gulshan restaurant in Stoke Street has regularly been targeted by yobs since he bought it a decade ago, the most recent attack being a cracked front window caused by an airgun pellet.

AN IPSWICH restaurateur today claimed a spate of attacks on his Indian takeaway could be racially motivated.

Mohibur Rahman's Gulshan restaurant in Stoke Street has regularly been targeted by yobs since he bought it a decade ago, the most recent attack being a cracked front window caused by an airgun pellet.

Mr Rahman, 31, said neighbouring businesses had not suffered in the same way and said he believed racists could be to blame.

He said: “I'm really sad about this because I was brought up in this town and I love this town.

“I opened this place ten years ago and it's been successful with lots of regular customers, but this has been going on and on.

“Nearly all the windows have been smashed before and the doors have been kicked in. There's been rubbish pushed through our letter box, people have spat on the glass and opened the front door to swear at us.

“I think we are being targeted in racial attacks. I don't feel secure or safe.”

Mr Rahman said the restaurant had also been burgled in the past.

The former Northgate High School pupil, who runs the business with his brothers, said he has built up a strong customer base during the last ten years.

He said: “We now have a good reputation and I'm really pleased with the location we have. People come to us from the surrounding areas and from as far away as Kesgrave and Chelmondiston.

“We don't want to move to another part of town because we will have to start all over again.

“The front door glass has been broken so many times. We have insurance but we have to pay the excess so it's just not worth it. We have considered CCTV but we are a small business and I can't afford it at the back and at the front.

“I was planning to decorate the outside of the restaurant but I don't want to spend the money and have it ruined.

“It's so sad because we are not doing any harm to anyone.”

A police spokesman could not confirm that there was a racial element to the offence but appealed for witnesses to contact Pc Paul Deane on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Does Ipswich have a racism problem? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk