THIS is the latest victim of terrifying violence on the streets of Ipswich. The disturbing image once again highlights the dangers faced when walking through the town.

THIS is the latest victim of terrifying violence on the streets of Ipswich.

The disturbing image once again highlights the dangers faced when walking through the town.

In the latest of a string of vicious unprovoked attacks 25-year-old David Smith was left with horrific facial injuries.

Mr Smith, of Swinburne Road, in the Whitton area of Ipswich, was walking home at about 10pm on Thursday when he was attacked by a gang of four or five men.

He said: “I'd been at a friend's in Morland Road and was walking along Nacton Road on my way home. I was on my own.

“Some lads walked past me and said “What are you looking at?”. I didn't know who they were.”

The next thing David remembers is being attacked from behind.

He said: “They just attacked me. They kicked and punched me but I don't remember every detail. I was on the ground.”

Mr Smith, who works in a factory in Elmswell, said his attackers were aged about 18 or 19.

He added: “I want to highlight to people that the streets aren't safe. Anything could have happened to me. Someone picked me up and asked me if I was ok. There was blood everywhere.”

During the attack Mr Smith suffered a black eye, cuts and bruises and a lost tooth and was taken to Ipswich Hospital by police.

His mother Valerie, 45, said: “I couldn't believe it had happened to him. It was awful to see him in that state. It is disgusting you can't feel safe on the streets.

“The physical injuries will heal but he is very shaken up. You don't think this sort of thing will happen to your family.”

Mr warned others to be careful when out in the town alone.

He said: “I'm not sure what else the police could have done but I wouldn't want this to happen to anyone else. I think it's better to walk in twos.”

Did you witness this attack? What do you think of crime in Ipswich? Are our streets safe? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

THIS disturbing story is the latest in a series of unprovoked attacks.

As reported in the Evening Star in September some people are now so worried about their safety they are too scared to go out alone at night.

Though Suffolk remains one of the safest counties in England police are issuing advice to residents to be vigilant.

A spokeswoman said: “Ipswich is a safe place but we would advise people to walk in well lit residential areas and where possible walk in pairs.

Police are investigating the attack.

The spokeswoman added: “This would appear to be a totally unprovoked attack and we would ask anyone with any information to come forward.”

The men are described as in their late teens and were wearing hoodies.

Anyone with any information about this incident should contact Pc Chris Townrow of Suffolk police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.