An anti-knife crime campaigner has called for politicians to make a stand after the stabbing in Clacton.

East Anglian Daily Times: Essex Police cordon off the covered market in Clacton town centre after a man was murdered Monday night.Essex Police cordon off the covered market in Clacton town centre after a man was murdered Monday night.

Caroline Shearer founded the Only Cowards Carry charity based in the town after her son Jay Whiston was murdered in Colchester in 2012.

Speaking after the news broke of the Clacton stabbing she said: “I am disgusted, and heartbroken for the family.“Even though this man has died that’s just the start of their living nightmare.“We need politicians who will have the guts to stand up and make a deterrent – bring a real punishment for carrying a weapon, 10-20 years, in you will see a decrease in this sort of crime.“The law and justice system is a shambles, and the police are doing all they can with their hands tied behind their backs.“My aim is to try to change the way of thinking of your youngsters. It is too easy to pick up a bladed article and go and kill somebody.”Residents and workers spoke of their shock at the extensive police cordon across Clacton town centre yesterday.Rebecca Lawrence, who lives in Clacton and works in the cordoned off area, said: “It is horrible for something like that to happen.“There is a lot of bad press about Clacton, but there are a lot of newer people who have moved here from Romford and East London which has disrupted things.”John Sealey moved back to Clacton in October after six years away from the town.He said: “It is shocking to hear. We always thought it was a peaceful town, and we love it here.”David Parker, from Great Clacton, said: “It is surprising, quite shocking especially in a little town. It is quite worrying.”“It is frightening – my eldest is aged 16 and I’m glad she does not go out ,” said Nicki Rippingale from Clacton.“We moved from London 10 years ago and thought we moved away from that, but nothing like this happened on our doorstep.“I would not come down here of a night-time, and won’t ever drink in town – especially in the summer when people come from all over and you get clashes.”Her mum, Eileen Martin from Holland-on-Sea, added: “It is really scary, and it is intimidating in the evenings.“We hoped we had retired to a peaceful seaside resort but it is getting worse.“It is very sad.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Essex Police cordon off areas in the town centre in Clacton after a man was murdered Monday night.Essex Police cordon off areas in the town centre in Clacton after a man was murdered Monday night.

East Anglian Daily Times: Essex Police forensics examine an area in Clacton town centre after a man was murdered Monday night.Essex Police forensics examine an area in Clacton town centre after a man was murdered Monday night.