MILKMAN Richard Calver came under attack in the early hours of the morning when youths threw bricks at his float breaking its windows and denting its sides.

By Victoria Knowles

MILKMAN Richard Calver came under attack in the early hours of the morning when youths threw bricks at his float breaking its windows and denting its sides.

Mr Calver, of Sandhurst Close, Ipswich, was out on his usual round for Co-op Dairies when the youths struck in St Peter's Street. Luckily he was not injured in the attack.

He said: "I was on my round when a youth flagged me down. This is not unusual as often people do this to buy a pint of milk.

"I stopped and then I heard a really loud bang and then another one. The second one smashed my window.

"On reflection it could have been a lot worse. If the first brick had smashed the window then the second one could have hit me, " he said.

This was not the first time the 45-year-old has been the victim of violence.

He added: "About two years ago I was coming out of some flats on Silent Street when I saw someone helping themselves to milk. I went to stop them and did not see another youth behind me. He hit me over the back leaving me with bruising and scratches.

"It makes you very nervous. You do not think of this as a dangerous profession but you get some very strange people about."

Bill Knowles, assistant chief executive at the Co-op said; "He did the right thing. He was quite near the police station so he just kept driving and promptly reported it when he delivered their milk."

Lisa Wilson, spokeswoman for Ipswich Police said: "The incident was reported to us promptly and an investigation is under way. The victim has described the attackers as black males. One was wearing a grey hooded top, black jeans and white trainers. We have no description of the other man involved."

Anyone with information about the attack, which happened on Tuesday, at about 5am, should call Pc James Kerr on 01473 613555.