NEW figures can today reveal the hotspots for violent crimes in Ipswich town centre.

The figures, released by Suffolk police following a Freedom of Information request, show that Northgate Street had the highest number of violent crimes during 2010/11 with 79 being recorded.

Old Cattle Market had the second highest number of crimes with 76 and Norwich Road was in third place with 72.

There were a total of 70 incidents in Cardinal Park, 62 in Dogs Head Street and 54 in Civic Drive.

Fifty violent crimes were recorded in London Road, 48 in Upper Brook Street, 47 in Bramford Road and 42 in Foxhall Road.

Inspector Andrew Mason, who covers Ipswich town centre, said that police were increasing plain clothed patrols in the area.

Paul Clement, Executive Director of Ipswich Central, said that the firm was striving to make the town centre safer. He said: “We will continue to undertake programmes such as the Radio Link scheme, which links businesses in the town directly to the Rangers and the Police, and the Sherlock Exclusion initiative, which issues warnings and banning orders to those within the town centre.”