EXTRA patrols took to the streets of Colchester to find witnesses to help solve the murder of James Attfield.

A special advertising van also drove around the town centre, reminding people of the murder and encouraging them to come forward.

Essex Police said a “significant” number of officers took part in the operation which ran from Friday afternoon through the night.

Officers are still hoping to speak to a couple spotted on a bench near to where Mr Attfield’s body was found and a Facebook friend who police believe he sang karaoke with.

The father-of-five, 33, of East Bay, Colchester, was murdered sometime between 10.10pm on Friday, March 28 and 6am, on Saturday, March 29, 2014.

He was stabbed 102 times and left for dead.

He was found on a riverside path between Guildford Road, East Street and Castle Park.

Desperate attempts to save him failed due to the severity and volume of wounds.

His family and friends were devastated and the community left scared.

Ten weeks later, Nahid Al- Manea was stabbed 16 times on a similar path, this time on the Salary Brook Trail, in Greenstead.

Both murders remain unsolved. Nobody is on bail and nobody has been charged with either murder.

It is not known how many people may have been involved in both or either murder.

Ten people had been arrested in connection with the murder of James Attfield.

All have been released without charge. However, they have not been eliminated from the investigation.

The crimes are being investigated by different teams in what Essex Police describe as “separate, but parallel” investigations.

Anyone with information, can call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, on 0800 555111.