Vandals hit England celebrations

VANDALS have been branded 'dimwits' for ripping down England banners before Portman Road's biggest match.The banners provided by official sponsor Nationwide, disappeared from their position on the Princes Street bridge between Ipswich Railway Station and Kartouche nightclub, on Monday night.

VANDALS have been branded 'dimwits' for ripping down England banners before Portman Road's biggest match.

The banners provided by official sponsor Nationwide, disappeared from their position on the Princes Street bridge between Ipswich Railway Station and Kartouche nightclub, on Monday night.

But disappointed fan Jamie Smith who spotted the vandalism, said such an act only revealed the culprits' ignorance about what a boom today's match is for the town.

Mr Smith who is proudly displaying a banner in a window at his Pinewood home, said: "Do these idiots not realise that this match, including all of the sponsorship, is bringing millions of pounds to the region, money which is desperately needed in some areas of the town -not to mention Ipswich Town Football Club?

"By acting like complete fools, they have not only added to the nervous tension already in evidence within police and local business circles, but have already proven that there is always a minority out to ruin what should be a fantastic day for the rest of us fortunate enough to be seeing Beckham, Owen, Gerrard and Co."

He said: "Obviously these people are not true football fans, or if they are, they are certainly not welcome in my book. They have, in all probability, been caught on the CCTV outside Kartouche.

"Maybe these dimwits will be stupid enough to attend the game with their spoils wrapped around them - that would make for easy identification by the police and ensure that they do not enter the ground."

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Police said today: "Any crime will not be tolerated and that includes vandalism."

She appealed for anyone with information about the banner incident to call 01473 613500.