Residents of Ipswich in Suffolk claim the town has been hit by anti-social behaviour and crime, with some saying they feel too scared to go out after dark. Numerous locals have claimed their beloved town is battling various issues as anti-social behaviour and homelessness is making their lives a misery.
The renowned English harbour town of Ipswich is located on the River Orwell in Suffolk, and like many places in the UK locals believe its golden days are in the past. Residents also express concerns about groups of menacing men loitering on the streets.
Locals describe 'horror film' atmosphere
A year ago, a Reddit user described what they termed "crackhead alley" near the White Horse Hotel in the town centre. One user claimed: "I stayed at that hotel and let me tell you it's like you stepped into a horror film." They added: "Men will follow you, they will ask for money, sex, drugs, everything. They have no filter. It's so dangerous."
Social media users have dubbed one street 'crackhead alley'. A woman who has worked in the town centre for 40 years and wished to remain unnamed has stated things were "tough" in the town.
Worker says town 'used to be fabulous'
She told the Express: "The town used to be fabulous. It was thriving. Now it's totally different. You've got bikes speeding through town, threatening the public. They're scared."
"Drunks linger on the bench up the road and they come through town shouting. There are multiple thefts - people running out the shops. I just haven't got the words," reports the Express. She added that people aren't frequenting the town as they once did, resulting in her earnings being halved over the past four years.
The woman also said that it's "scary" to bring children into town. She stated: "You've got your elderly regulars and they feel vulnerable. You speak to young people and they don't want to come into town. There's fights. At least once a week."
Young resident avoids town after dark
Sufiyah Ali, 23, only ventures into town during the morning or lunchtime, as she doesn't feel safe later in the day. The support worker stated: "Whatever you think, yeah [...] There's lots of anti-social behaviour and so much crime. They don't hide it anymore. They just grab it and go."
The resident added: "It's just greed and laziness. The shops have security but they just let people shoplift." Ms Ali has experienced racial abuse on the high street. She stated: "I was with my daughter and there were people walking along here. There was a football game on [...] They were laughing and joking and said racial slurs, and I just went off on my day."
Ms Ali, who resided in Manchester for three years, stated: "Manchester is way safer than here." "It's so nice up there."
