Ipswich Central delivers additional frontline services to improve the look and feel of our town centre. One of the most successful and visible achievements of the Ipswich Central process is the presence of five Street Rangers.

We caught up with Alex, one of the Street Rangers to follow him on a typically hectic day.

8.00am

Started shift with Street Ranger Danny by removing some graffiti which had appeared overnight. When we started as Rangers in April 2007 this was a regular activity, but the amount we remove now has declined. Probably due to the fact that it gets removed so quickly.

9.15am

Delivered some Ipswich Central Activity Sheets to businesses in Tavern Street and Westgate Street. This is a good way of keeping companies aware of activities we are delivering like enhanced cleaning schedules, marketing campaigns, free car parking promotions and security.

10.15am

Getting my fingers green doing some weeding on the Waterfront for a good hour before checking on 20 or so of our planters that are on display throughout the town centre. There are 45 altogether that we keep a regular eye on.

11.30am

On a general patrol in the town centre, assisting customers with directions and various other queries. We get some unusual ones as you can imagine!

12.30pm

On the Cornhill for our Street Ranger Surgery which we do every day from now until 1.30pm. The purpose of this is to ensure that if any business or member of the public want to see us, we are always in this place at this time. Had lunch straight after the surgery.

2.30pm

A retailer calls for assistance over radiolink (the Ipswich Central security system in which the police, CCTV and over 130 town centre retailers operate) as there is a security incident in their shop. I rushed to the shop and called the Police for back-up and the offender was issued with an exclusion from all 140 retailers who use our radiolink system.

3.15pm

A guy collapsed in Lloyds Avenue. I saw him fall and rushed over with my first aid kit handy but fortunately he was ok, if slightly shaken. Sat with him for a bit and once he composed himself I helped him to the bus station to get home.

3.30pm

Dropped some flyers into some businesses promoting our free car parking at NCP sites in Cox Lane and Tacket Street on the first Sunday of each month. Following this there was various activity over the radiolink system which required Street Ranger assistance. My lasy job of the day was to help an elderly couple find their car as they had forgotten where they parked it!

4.30pm

Off duty now and looking forward to putting my feet up. On a typical day we walk at least a good 10 kilometres. Although I’m now off duty there is still a Street Ranger provision until 5.30pm Monday to Friday and until midnight on Saturdays.

Ipswich Central’s brand is supported by Suffolk Passenger Transport.