COMMUNITY safety bosses say they are working tirelessly to ensure both violence and anti-social behaviour are kept to a minimum in the wake of the double stabbing.

Police have launched a murder investigation after Carl Hopkins, 49, was found dead in Ryegate Road, Colchester, on Monday.

They believe it is linked to a stabbing in George Street the night before.

The Safer Colchester Partnership has been key in the implementation of the Town Centre Action Plan (TCAP) and to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the borough.

Chairman Pam Donnelly said: “On behalf of all of the community safety partners working in the borough, I would like to offer my sympathies to everyone affected by these awful crimes and reassure residents we remain fully committed to ensuring Colchester is a safe and welcoming place that protects all of its communities.

“These tragic incidents reinforce just how vital it is we continue to work with our partners to deliver a co-ordinated approach to dealing with violence and anti-social behaviour and their causes so we can reduce crime and people’s fear of crime, improve the quality of life for residents and make Colchester safer for all.”

Colchester Council leader Mark Cory said his colleagues were supporting police.

He said: “The recent events have been saddening.

“We have a close working relationship with the police and are doing everything we can to deal with this specific investigation.”

Public safety boss Mike Lilley added: "The terrible incidents, while still mercifully rare in Colchester, serve to remind us that fighting crime and improving community safety in the borough is best achieved by working in partnership.

“In particular, that means sustaining our efforts with the police to support the Town Centre Action Plan (TCAP) and the work of Team Ten – both of which are vital to help tackle those involved in criminal activity or who are being violent, aggressive or abusive in our borough.

“Since it was launched last August, TCAP has dramatically stepped up action against reported instances of aggressive begging, street drinking, anti-social behaviour, and drug-related offences, all of which is helping to make Colchester a better place to live, work in and visit.

“Residents can be reassured that crime and public safety remain our top priority and that we will continue to further the aims of TCAP and support Team Ten to deal with the small-but-disruptive number of people who are blighting our town centre.”