Anti-knife crime campaigners have been bowled over by those fighting for a safer future for Ipswich as they celebrate the installation of their 26th bleed control kit.
The founder of Be Lucky Anti Crime Foundation, Paul Stansby, said that the push for safer towns would not be possible without the help from local businesses which funded the equipment.
Mr Stansby, who is co-owner of Lucky 13 Tattoo Studios, said: “We had the 26th bleed control kit fitted the other day, and it just feels absolutely amazing that we are not stopping here.
“We have another six kits ready to be installed soon and ordered 10 more already, but at the same time I hope that they will never have to be used.
“Our town has got to a point where we're wondering what's going to happen and we’d like to do everything to secure safety within Ipswich.”
Mr Stansby admitted that he was not sure of the feedback from the public before the first kits were installed, but he is now very proud of the initiative.
He added: “It was an absolute dream that the community jumped behind us and people were really ecstatic that this was being done.
“A lot of the time we get comments that this should have been done a long time ago, and it shouldn't take someone like myself, who is just another member of the public, to do something like this.
“The installation of bleed control kits would not be possible if it wasn't for local businesses donating money to put them in place. Without their financial help, our initiative would be impossible.
“The community was ready to get on board and fight for our town’s safer future.”
The project began after Mr Stansby's brother Dean was fatally stabbed in 2017 with the support of his business partner Jamie Hart.
The founder of Be Lucky Anti Crime Foundation said that prevention and raising awareness of knife crimes can be the best defence, as he spoke around recent events in the town.
The installation of the 26th kit around Ipswich and Felixstowe comes weeks after the fatal stabbing of James Quigley.
Focus on safety has been a priority for the police following the death of 18-year-old Raymond James Quigley on January 17.
The teenager was stabbed to death in Westgate Street.
Mr Stansby added: “There isn't enough restriction or deterrent for kids to stop carrying knives around and that’s why these attacks are happening.”
In recent weeks, Suffolk Constabulary has vowed to increase visibility further in the town through the appointment of a community engagement officer and further patrols.
There has also been calls for measures to make the town safer, including more effective CCTV and an increased police presence.
Ben Stamp of Cookie Barista in the Microshops, said: "You want to feel safe in your own town."
For the first 10 days after the incident last month, it was definitely a lot quieter. People were clearly avoiding the town centre.
"I'm a father and my son and daughter work in Ipswich. It's very worrying."
Andrew Bavington-Barber, director of the Hot Sausage Company which occupies a number of sites - including on the Cornhill, said it was a common comment from customers about the need for continued visibility.
At the weekend, frontline officers gave this paper an insight into policing firsthand.
During the course of the night patrol, officers attended a crash near Yates and a number of incidents at night clubs in the town.
One officer had been grabbed by the throat and punched - returning to duty mere minutes afterwards.
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