DEFIANT traders from a south east Ipswich street recently targeted by ram-raiders have vowed they will not let it affect their businesses.The Spar store in Reynolds Road was hit at around 3am on February 2 and the shop front was destroyed before a van ripped out the cash machine.

DEFIANT traders from a south east Ipswich street recently targeted by ram-raiders have vowed they will not let it affect their businesses.

The Spar store in Reynolds Road was hit at around 3am on February 2 and the shop front was destroyed before a van ripped out the cash machine.

Reynolds Road, along with Queen's Way, has been in the headlines in recent months after a dispersal order was served on the two streets.

However, traders have promised their customers they remain as determined as ever to keep serving the community.

Staff from Quality Hardware and DIY said they were sure custom would continue to be good.

One employee said: "We are trying not to let it affect our business. There have been things like this before and our customers have not been put off.

"It had been a bit quiet before the raid but I'm sure people will come back."

John Kett from Kett's hairdressers said: "I have been here for 50 years and you never like to see things like this, but it happens everywhere. It's the law that is breaking down.

"It won't affect my business but I urge people not to be put off visiting Reynolds Road. My customers will keep coming."

The recent incident is not the first time Reynolds Road has been targeted. In November last year, ram-raiders struck at the One Stop Shop, opposite the Spar store in a similar attack.

Staff there said they would ignore the recent problems.

One said: "The only way to do it is to not let it bother you. The best thing for people to do to show their support is to come up here and people have been doing that."

Another trader, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "It will not affect us at all and we won't let it.

"We don't usually comment on this type of thing but what I would say is there is nothing to worry about."

The shops in Reynolds Road have suffered continued problems including an arson attack in October last year.

Krusty's Bakery was the target then, when a car was set alight and pushed into the shop front causing serious damage and threatening the lives of a family who had to be rescued from their flat above the shop.