Skip to main contentEnter
Purposeful journalism for people who care about our town
Ipswich.co.uk logoSupport our journalism
News

Police urgently seek dashcam footage as murder investigation hones in on Christmas Day

Detectives investigating the murder of William "Billy" McNicholl in Ipswich are focusing their enquiries on Christmas Day, urging drivers to check their dash-cam footage from the Chantry area.

The big picture: Seven days before Mr McNicholl's body was discovered, vehicles travelling through several key areas of Chantry may have captured crucial evidence. Police are concentrating their investigation on the following areas from 25 December:

  • Hawthorn Drive

  • Gippeswyk Park

  • Birkfield Drive

  • Belstead Road

Map of interest from Suffolk Police investigating the murder of Billy McNicholl
Suffolk Constabulary
Detectives investigating the murder of William "Billy" McNicholl in Ipswich are urging drivers to check their dash-cam footage from the Chantry area

What they're saying: Detective Inspector Mark Hughes of the Joint Major Investigation Team said: "Perhaps you had visitors who would have driven along the roads in the Hawthorn Drive, Gippeswyk Park, Birkfield Drive and Belstead Road areas, or you may have done so yourself."

Key details:

  • Mr McNicholl, 63, was found deceased on 1 January at an address in Hawthorn Drive

  • A post-mortem indicated he died from head injuries and a single stab wound

  • A woman in her 50s arrested on suspicion of murder has been bailed until 9 April

How to help: Information can be provided through:

The bottom line: Police are urging both residents and visitors who were in the Chantry area on Christmas Day to review any dash-cam footage, saying even small pieces of information could be vital to the investigation.

Our content is free to read thanks to the generous support of Kingsfleet, Ipswich Central and David Button Funeral Directors

The Kingsfleet team outside their offices in Claydon, near Ipswich

Spend your time and money as you wish

Award winning, independent financial planners helping the people of Suffolk reach their financial objectives.
Aerial view of Ipswich town centre and waterfront

Ipswich Central

Ipswich Central is the Business Improvement District (BID) for the town centre, waterfront, and 'Connected Town' area.
News

Ipswich man jailed for five years after rape conviction

Leon Thomas, 53, formerly of Farina Close in Ipswich, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday after a jury found him guilty of raping a woman he knew.
by
Continue reading →
News

Suffolk and Norfolk mayoral elections to be delayed by two years

The government is expected to announce today that it will postpone planned elections for a new Suffolk and Norfolk mayor from May 2026 to 2028, marking the second delay to democratic processes in the region this year.
by
Continue reading →

Kingsfleet, Ipswich Central and David Button Funeral Directors

The Kingsfleet team outside their offices in Claydon, near Ipswich

Spend your time and money as you wish

Award winning, independent financial planners helping the people of Suffolk reach their financial objectives.
Aerial view of Ipswich town centre and waterfront

Ipswich Central

Ipswich Central is the Business Improvement District (BID) for the town centre, waterfront, and 'Connected Town' area.
News

'I've got my life back': Ipswich woman reverses her diabetes in months

Susan Wolton from Ipswich has reversed her type 2 diabetes, lost over three stone and seen her IBS symptoms disappear after joining a free NHS programme that can be completed from home, with limited places remaining for local residents.
by
Continue reading →
News

College and university launch charity-business platform

Suffolk New College and University of Suffolk brought together over a dozen local charities and businesses in a new event designed to build partnerships beyond traditional fundraising. Organisers plan to make it an annual Christmas fixture.
by
Continue reading →
News

Attwells beats national rivals for apprenticeship award

Local solicitors Attwells has won the National Apprenticeship and Skills Award 2025 for SME Firms, beating national competition for its commitment to developing emerging talent.
by
Continue reading →

Kingsfleet, Ipswich Central and David Button Funeral Directors

The Kingsfleet team outside their offices in Claydon, near Ipswich

Spend your time and money as you wish

Award winning, independent financial planners helping the people of Suffolk reach their financial objectives.
Aerial view of Ipswich town centre and waterfront

Ipswich Central

Ipswich Central is the Business Improvement District (BID) for the town centre, waterfront, and 'Connected Town' area.
Load more content
Our content is free to read thanks to
Our content is free to read thanks to
Our content is free to read thanks to
Want our best content delivered to your inbox every Friday?

Have you subscribed to our free weekly newsletter?

If you haven’t, you really should. You’ll get our best content delivered to your inbox every Friday afternoon, just in time for the weekend. You can unsubscribe at any time, although 99.7% of people don’t.

  • Lee Walker
  • Joe Bailey of Brighten the Corners
  • Mark Hubert
6,340+ people are already loving it