An Ipswich councillor has called to increase police stop and searches after a 14-year-old was arrested in possession of a knife.
Officers were called to Marlow Road, on the Whitehouse estate, at about 8.10pm on Sunday after a teenage boy was reportedly stabbed in an altercation with a group of males.
A group, some of whom were wearing face coverings, were seen running away from the scene and are believed to have headed in the direction of the alleyway next to Westbourne Academy.
The victim received treatment by paramedics for his injuries.
It is believed he was sliced across the arm in the attack, and was taken to Ipswich Hospital for further treatment.
A 14-year-old boy was arrested later the same evening in Ipswich on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm and possession of a knife or bladed article.
Leader of the Conservative group on Ipswich Borough Council Ian Fisher said he was aware of the incident as he lives nearby.
"I was gobsmacked, but pleased to see the police caught somebody," he said.
"There's enough of a knife problem in Ipswich that we should be doing stop and searches all the time.
"This gives the public the feeling that something's being done."
He added: "I haven't seen any reassuring message from anyone in a position of power - why is that people are scared to say anything?"
Cllr Fisher previously called for Ipswich town leaders to "get a grip," as he believes Ipswich is becoming a "no-go zone".
Responding to Cllr Fisher's comments, Cllr John Cook, Ipswich Borough Council portfolio holder for communities and sport, said: "Yet again Cllr Fisher is stirring up prejudice and talking Ipswich down.
"Instead he should take the opportunity to find out first hand, how our police, supported by Ipswich Borough Council, are working to make Ipswich safer."
He added that he regularly meets police officers, who assure him that they have the powers needed to do their job.
"Why would they wish to search people they believe not to be carrying knives?," said Cllr Cook.
"While any knife on our streets is one too many, knife crime is lower this year than last, and the police have been successfully removing knives from our streets."
Superintendent Andy Martin, area commander for Ipswich, confirmed that Suffolk Constabulary continues to make "effective use" of stop and search as a tactic to prevent serious and violent offences.
He added: “This is evidenced by a significant number of successful prosecutions over the last 12 months, securing of criminal orders, and a reduction in the number of knife related incidents in the town.
“We continue to thank the community for the information they provide which enables the positive use of these tactics without the regular need for additional powers.”
Suffolk's police and crime commissioner Tim Passmore echoed these sentiments, saying: "Tackling knife crime is a serious issue and we all have a collective responsibility to try to eliminate it.
"Our grants programme supports several organisations who successfully help many youngsters make the right choices and not get involved in crime.
He added: “The use of stop and search is an important police tactic which I fully support. I do not think the police need extra powers as they have sufficient powers already.
“Unfortunately, it is very difficult to eradicate the threat of knife crime completely, but I would like to stress Suffolk is a safe place and these events are relatively rare.”
Anyone who may have witnessed to the incident, or has doorbell footage of the area, is asked to contact Suffolk Police, quoting crime reference number 37/48648/23
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article