Ipswich people dismayed at Westgate Street fatal stabbing

The incident happened at around 3.30pm in Westgate Street, with police now searching for two male suspects reported to be leaving the scene. 

"I'm dismayed," said Councillor Sam Murray of the Castle Hill ward.

"I'm a mother myself and no one should have to bury their child.

Councillor Sam Murray said no one should have to bury their child (Image: Newsquest)

"We need to get on top of this. Children are dying.

"This impacts the victim's family and, one the other side, a family now has to live knowing a relative has taken someone's life.

"We need to get on top of this and we need to fix things."

Ipswich MP Tom Hunt said he had spoken with Suffolk police this morning and had been assured the Constabulary's investigation is thorough and that "they are getting more information by the minute".

"To have a knife attack leading to a fatality in broad daylight, in the town centre, witnessed by a number of my constituents is deeply disturbing," he added.

Ipswich MP Tom Hunt described the incident as deeply disturbing (Image: House of Commons)

"My thoughts go out to the family and friends of the victim, but also to the people of Ipswich.

"This is distressing and disturbing. 

"It is mind-boggling that an incident so brutal can happen when everyone is going about their shopping on a Tuesday afternoon.

"We have been successful in getting extra funding to enhance police presence in the town centre during both days and evenings.

"However, we continue to hear about these sorts of horrific incidents.

A police cordon remained in place on Wednesday morning (Image: Charlotte Bond)

"Suffolk Constabulary are working hard to tackle this problem, but all effort must be made to intensify the work and the government must provide further support in giving them the resources they need."

Leader of Ipswich Borough Council David Ellesmere has also called for an increased police presence in the town centre. 

"We must work with our colleagues in the police and the County Council to ensure we maintain a visible police presence," he said.

"This is essential for providing reassurance and ensuring everyone is safe."

On the incident, he said: "It is deeply disturbing. 

David Ellesmere, leader of Ipswich Borough Council (Image: Newsquest)

"My thoughts go out to be the family of the victim and to all of those people in the street who witnessed it."

Councillor Alasdair Ross is the portfolio holder for community protection & health at Ipswich Borough Council. 

"Our thoughts are with the family at this time," he said.

"It's very sad to see another incident in Ipswich.

Cllr Alasdair Ross pledged to keep fighting knife crime as a priority (Image: Newsquest)

"Fighting knife crime is our highest priority and we will continue to do so.

"We will be giving the police as much support as we can to catch the people responsible.

"I plea with anyone who might have been in the town centre at the time of the incident, if you saw anything suspicious - no matter how small - please forward it on to the police."

Terry Baxter, chair of Ipswich Central, said the news "will reinforce the preconception that Ipswich is not a safe place to visit".

"We were deeply concerned to hear about the incident that occurred on Tuesday in our town centre," he said.

"The fact that an incident of this severity can happen in our county town, in broad daylight must be a huge wake up call to the police and crime commissioner.

"We will be doing everything in our power, and working with all parties to mitigate the risk of this ever happening again.

Ipswich Central chairman Terry Baxter (Image: Ipswich Central)

"We have already spoken with the Police Crime Commissioner and we will be meeting in the coming days to discuss next steps.

"Not only is this a personal tragedy for all those involved, but it has a direct and severe impact on our town and the businesses within it. The businesses surrounding the incident will have been closed whilst the police investigate, which will inevitably effect their trade. 

"We will be reaching out to businesses in the coming days to offer our support and guidance in the wake of this tragedy."

The Rt Rev Martin Seeley, bishop of the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese, said he was "appalled and shocked by the knife attack in Ipswich town centre."

"My thoughts and prayers are for his family and friends, and for all who witnessed this terrible loss of life," he added.

The Rt Rev Martin Seeley, bishop of the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese (Image: Archant)

"We all need to continue to work together to ensure all our communities are safe places for everyone and there is no place for such violence."

Ipswich Labour's parliamentary candidate, Jack Abbott, added: "This is tragic news - especially to lose someone at just 18 years old.

"My thoughts are with the victim's friends and family. 

Ipswich Labour's parliamentary candidate Jack Abbott (Image: Newsquest)

"If anyone has any information regarding the incident, please contact the police as soon as possible."

Any witnesses are asked to contact the Major Investigation Team, quoting reference: CAD 245 of 17 January.

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