AN AREA of Ipswich town centre has been cordoned off after a man suffered a head injury this afternoon.

Police are currently on scene in Tower Street, Ipswich which has been cordoned off.

The incident happened just before 2.25pm when a man, believed to be steeplejack, working on St Mary-le-Tower church, was shot in the back of the head by an air rifle.

The man, aged in his twenties, was conscious and breathing when officers arrived at the scene and he has been taken to Ipswich Hospital.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said: “We have received a report of a man sustaining an injury at St Mary-le-Tower church on Tower Street in Ipswich at 2.23pm, emergency services are in attendance and officers are carrying out inquiries to establish what has happened.”

Officers including the force helicopter are searching in the area and the church has been cordoned off.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious around the church, or anyone with information about any persons with air rifles in the town centre this afternoon should call police on 101.

Did you see what happened? Call the news desk on 01473 324790.