Tom has written about the Town Centre in his Star Column this week, talking about some good recent developments and inspiring business owners but many challenges.

More action does need to be taken to address the concerns many residents have about crime and anti social behaviour. At the end of the day it’s our shared public space. If anyone is behaving in a way that isn’t respectful to the majority of residents and is making a significant number feel uncomfortable then there should be interventions by the police in my view. It seems the threshold for them getting involved seems too high at the moment. We also need more of a police presence across the Town centre throughout the day.

Groups of young men drinking alcohol, littering, often making inappropriate comments towards women and making them feel uncomfortable should not be tolerated. We shouldn’t stand by and allow a small group of individuals blight the experience of others.

I make these comments because they’ve been communicated to me time and time again by constituents.

We need to talk up the Town whenever we can but also be clear eyed about the challenges and the things we’re not getting right. Doesn’t help anyone to skirt around the issues.

I’ve got a number of meetings lined up over the next few weeks to try and make some progress.

https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/ipswich-mp-tom-hunt-on-ipswich-town-…