Concerns have been expressed by one of the country’s most senior politicians over crime in Colchester following the murder of a man in the street.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ryegate Road was closed while Essex Police worked at the scene Picture: JAKE FOXFORDRyegate Road was closed while Essex Police worked at the scene Picture: JAKE FOXFORD (Image: Archant)

Home secretary Sajid Javid has offered to meet Colchester MP Will Quince to discuss crime in Colchester following the death of 49-year-old Carl Hopkins.

Mr Hopkins, from Colchester, was found by paramedics in Ryegate Road just after 8.20am on Monday, February 11 with several stab wounds to his back.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, with a post mortem examination revealing that he had died from a stab wound to the lung.

The incident followed another stabbing in nearby George Street just hours before, with left a man aged 40 with stab wounds to his back.

Residents reacted with shock to what happened, with Mr Quince later writing to Mr Javid to raise concerns about crime in Colchester.

And now Mr Javid has written back to his Conservative colleague to say: “I am very concerned to read about the fatal stabbing in Colchester and the other recent incidents you refer to.”

In the reply, which Mr Quince shared on his Twitter feed, the home secretary went on to “commend Essex Police for their response and efforts to reassure the public” and assured residents that the government takes the overall issue seriously.

He has also offered to meet Mr Quince to discuss the issues in Colchester in more detail.

“Please be assured that I am absolutely committed to tackling violence in all its forms,” Mr Javid wrote.

“We are taking extensive action to tackle serious violence and it is a top priority for this government.”

Mr Quince said the response was “helpful and positive”, adding: “Delighted that he has agreed to meet.”

Following the incident, police arrested a 17-year-old boy from Woolwich, London in connection with the murder and attempted murder of two men in Colchester.

He was charged on Saturday, February 17 and was due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday.