“Women should be able to live freely without fear of violence, at home or in their community,” say safety campaigners after a teenage girl was sexually assaulted in Ipswich town centre.

The incident happened sometime between 10pm on Wednesday and 1am on Thursday in an alleyway between St Stephen's Church Lane and Upper Brook Street, near the Buttermarket shopping centre in Ipswich.

Ipswich Star: The police cordon was put in place on Thursday. Picture: NewsquestThe police cordon was put in place on Thursday. Picture: Newsquest (Image: William Warnes)

Laura Polley, the organiser of Suffolk and Ipswich's Reclaim the Streets movement, said: “This is one of many incidents that have happened in the town centre recently.

Ipswich Star: Laura Polley (L) and Grace Nichol (R), the organisers of Suffolk and Ipswich's Reclaim the Streets movement, NewsquestLaura Polley (L) and Grace Nichol (R), the organisers of Suffolk and Ipswich's Reclaim the Streets movement, Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

“Right now, we’ve got lots of women's safety initiatives that are trying to make the town safer, but obviously more needs to be done to protect women in Ipswich.

“We should make sure that these alleyways around the town centre are well lit and have CCTV cameras that work.

“It would be a massive step in the right direction just to increase feelings of safety as well as safety itself.”

The latest incident comes months after a teenage girl was sexually assaulted on the same night as the town's Reclaim The Night protest.

Miss Polley added that many women use the Reclaim the Streets social media to discuss their worries and suggestions about the safety in Ipswich.

“We know that those situations are happening and women are being either attacked, harassed or followed and it doesn't seem to be getting much better.”

Sarah Lungley, the chief executive officer of Suffolk Rape Crisis, said: “We are deeply saddened and angered to hear of another sexual assault in Ipswich.

Ipswich Star: Sarah Lungley, the chief executive officer at Suffolk Rape Crisis, NewsquestSarah Lungley, the chief executive officer at Suffolk Rape Crisis, Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

“Far too often the focus is placed on women’s safety, or women keeping themselves safe and this needs to change.

“We need to focus on changing a culture which allows sexual violence, misogyny and sexism to continue and understand the responsibility for sexual violence only ever lies with the perpetrator.

“Women should be able to live freely without fear of violence, at home or in their community.

“If you or anyone you know feels affected by this news, or wishes to access support, our helpline is open Tuesday evenings 7-9pm or please visit our website www.srchelp.org.uk.”