ipswich has always been a violent place tho, used to be wars between the mods & rockers, an punks & goths back in my old mans day – its just then unprovoked aspect thats really scary

this is true – but these subculture wars happened everywhere (now its chavs vs goths).

OTOH the level of random violence has definitely escalated countrywide.

raverbaby (who is just over half my age) has also noticed people are getting angrier and more violent (I was worried it was just me getting old).

The worst part of it is it puts young(ish) men like us into a “siege mentality” where you are always looking over your shoulder and wary to talk to any strangers/new people, even if supposedly “safe” areas like raves.