Drug dealer who broke police officer’s finger jailed for five years

A drug dealer who broke the finger of a police officer in Ipswich has been jailed for five years and 10 months.

Ian Gayle, 56, of no-fixed-abode but from the Ipswich area, was arrested on 30 July in Wilberforce Street. He had been stopped for a search and had attempted to run from officers, assaulting an officer and breaking their finger. When searched, officers located drug wraps, phones and cash.

The stop and arrest of Gayle took place during Operation Spotlight within the Maple Together Clear Hold Build area within Ipswich. 

Gayle was sentenced on 14 February having pleaded guilty to the following:

Following the sentencing, Inspector Jess Lawlor said: “I am pleased to see Gayle has been given a lengthy sentence. Not only did he assault and injure one of our officers, but he was attempting to profit by bringing the misery of drugs to the residents of Ipswich.

“This is again proof of the success of enforcement initiatives such as Clear Hold Build and Operation Spotlight. We will continue to do all we can to tackle drug-based criminality and bring those responsible to justice.”

If you suspect drug activity report this via the Suffolk police website www.suffolk.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/,  call 101, or alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers to report anonymously – either online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.

Operation Spotlight

Operation Spotlight was launched in April 2024 to coordinate Suffolk Constabulary’s response to delivering 'hotspot' policing following award of a national grant from the Home Office. The initiative led to significant decreases in anti-social behaviour, violence, and overall crime in identified hotspot areas across the county.

In April 2025, the operation was renewed for another 12 months, with a focus on tackling knife crime, serious violence, and anti-social behaviour. These efforts have been directed at updated ‘hotspot’ locations, identified through refreshed analytical mapping of demand across Suffolk.

Clear Hold Build – Maple Together

Clear, Hold, Build is an innovative framework, developed by the Home Office, to help police forces tackle serious and organised crime.

It reclaims and rebuilds neighbourhoods affected by organised crime, makes areas safer and increases public confidence in the police and partner agencies.

In Suffolk, the first two Clear, Hold, Build projects were launched in Felixstowe and Newmarket in 2024.

Ipswich's first Clear Hold Build initiative, Maple Together, was launched in 2025, focussed on the Gipping and Westgate wards in the town with efforts starting in March 2025. This encompasses an area west of the town centre, bordered by Norwich Road and Bramford Road in the north, Yarmouth Road in the west and West End Road in the South.

The aim is to rid Ipswich’s streets of serious and organised crime and leave more resilient communities as a result, with a focus on anti-social behaviour, violence and the supply of drugs.

The project is being run jointly by police and partners. Suffolk Constabulary and Ipswich Borough Council are jointly leading the tactic, supported by other key agencies.

Photo of Ian Gayle can be found here