Ipswich locals reject 'horror film' characterisation by national paper

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 12:32 · Archive

Locals and business owners have disputed a Daily Express article that portrayed Ipswich as a 'horror film' blighted by crime and anti-social behaviour.

The Daily Express published a feature claiming some Ipswich residents were too frightened to leave home after 6pm because of anti-social behaviour, crime and intimidation. Local leaders, business owners and residents have rejected this characterisation as exaggerated and ignoring the town's positives.

Ipswich is described as England's oldest continuously inhabited town and is home to medieval streets, historic landmarks, a thriving waterfront with cafés, bars and restaurants, the University of Suffolk, theatres, museums and galleries. The town hosts a year-round programme of multicultural events and is bidding to become UK City of Culture 2029. Major investment through the Pride in Place programme is set to regenerate parts of the town.

Evie Cook, who works at The Olde English Sweet Shop in the town centre, said working with the public gave her a balanced view. 'The customers themselves are lovely,' she said. 'We deal with some of the more uglier sides of town, but I'm not scared of Ipswich. At night it's scary, but everywhere is scary at night.'

How it is being reported

• National paper brands Ipswich a 'horror film' but here's why we disagreeLocals have called out a national newspaper's description of Ipswich as a “horror film”, saying the hyperbolic claims ignore the positives of Suffolk's county town.East Anglian Daily Times · 20 Oct, 12:00
• National paper brands Ipswich a 'horror film' but here's why we disagreeLocals have called out a national newspaper's description of Ipswich as a “horror film”, saying the hyperbolic claims ignore the positives of Suffolk's county town.Ipswich Star · 20 Oct, 12:00

In this story: Ipswich · Daily Express · University of Suffolk · UK City of Culture 2029 · Evie Cook

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