Vandals strike again in damaged streets

DESPAIR was etched on the faces of residents in South East Ipswich as they witnessed another arson attack and vandalism in their streets.Again, a torched a wheelie bin and a smashed phone box were the focus of people doing their early morning shop in Queens Way.

By Georgina James

DESPAIR is etched on the faces of residents in South East Ipswich today after they witnessed another arson attack and vandalism in their streets.

Again, a torched a wheelie bin and a smashed phone box were the focus of people doing their early morning shop in Queens Way and investigations to find the culprits are underway.

Firefighters from Colchester Road and Princes Street were called to the rear of Costcutters at about midnight yesterday morning, after firebugs had deliberately set a wheelie bin alight – for the third time in as many weeks.

Linda Vincent, senior supervisor at the store, said she was called out by the fire service at about 1am.

"Our wheelie bin has been targeted three times in three weeks. Unfortunately it's nothing new around here and there seems very little that anyone can do to stop it from happening.

Two passers-by, an elderly woman and man, who have lived in the area all their lives, shook their heads as they walked passed the shattered glass of the phone box.

The pensioners, who did not wish to be named for fear of repercussions, said the streets were getting worse and that they felt intimidated by the gangs of kids who hang around the streets.

The area is also a known hotspot for car fires and has been plagued by firebugs since the start of the year.

As recently as Wednesday two were torched in Landseer Park.

Community fire officer Martin Thorpe said the rash of car fires was putting the fire service under increasing pressure.