A community have shared their outrage and discomfort after their Co-op was robbed by suspects in balaclavas armed with knives.

Police were called to the Nacton Road store in Ravenswood at about 9.30pm on Monday. 

A spokesman for Suffolk police said two suspects believed to be carrying knives entered the store and threatened employees. 

Police were parked outside of the Co-opPolice were parked outside of the Co-op (Image: Jude Holden)

The suspects stole cash from the till and a tin containing stamps. 

It is understood that they ran off in the direction off the Ravenswood estate. 

Staff were shaken but nobody was injured, the spokesman confirmed. 

Ravenswood resident Ian Ralph said: “I’ve been in Ipswich since 1977. It’s terrible that this would happen to the old Co-op.

“I do think people feel unsafe sometimes. But I’m not really too alarmed. There has always been knives and violence. This sort of thing is not really too common around here. Ipswich isn’t too bad but at night people might feel unsafe.”

Mariloa, who works at Barnardo’s beside the Co-op said: “Lots of people do not feel comfortable these days.

"This is why I always make sure the back door is locked because I must be careful when I’m on my own. I am not surprised that this would happen."

Cllr Ruman Muhith shared his outrage after the robbery in Ravenswood.Cllr Ruman Muhith shared his outrage after the robbery in Ravenswood. (Image: Ruman Muhith)

Councillor Ruman Muhith, who represents Ravenswood, called the incident "outrageous".

He said: "It is a serious offence and I’m shocked that this would happen in Ipswich.

"If caught they should be punished to the full extent of the law and they need to be made examples of whether or not the prisons are full.”

An investigation is under way and detectives ask that anyone with information that could assist the inquiry contact Suffolk police, quoting crime reference number 37/54337/24.