Man in his 70s in critical condition with multiple injuries following incident in Hythe Hill, Colchester

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The 70-year-old man was taken to hospital in a critical condition in hospital with multiple injuries following the attack, which happened in Hythe Hill at about 5.40pm on Tuesday.

He is now in a stable condition at Addenbrookes Hospital.

Police officers carried out a search of the area and enquiries are ongoing.

They are not aware of a motive, and have asked residents to be vigilant.

DI Jim White said: "We are seeking information in relation to a man who was carrying a knife and acting suspiciously in the area of Port Lane and Hythe Hill at around 5.30pm.

"He was tall, white, and wearing camouflage trousers and a green top.

"I would urge anyone with information to call Colchester CID on 101.”

The victim, who has been named locally as John Sales, was treated at the scene by paramedics including a rapid response unit from the Herts Air Ambulance.

Anyone with information should call Colchester CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

UPDATE Wednesday 9am

Police officers remain at the scene.

Two cordons are in place - one at a terraced house in Hythe Hill, near the junction with Port Lane, and the other in Port Lane.

UPDATE 1pm

Neighbours believe the victim, who has been named locally as John, arrived home to find an intruder in his back garden.

One woman who lives within yards of the victim's back garden said: “We're hearing the man arrived back home and there was this man in his back garden, just standing there.

“He got out and went over to him and that's when I think it happened, the stabbing.”

She added: “It's horrible. There are homes here with little children. It could have been one of their homes for all the man [intruder] knew.”

Claire Fisher, posted on her Facebook page: “He encountered an intruder and was stabbed.

“He's been taken to hospital and we don't know much about his injuries.”

An Essex University student, 18, who asked to remain anonymous, has been living in the house next door since September.

She said: “I heard shouting from the garden.

“We didn’t really notice much until about 6pm, when my flatmate told me to come down.

“She was getting worried because there were several police cars out the front.

“We didn’t really know what was going on until the police came and told us.

“The police told us it’s probably nothing we should be getting concerned about. Obviously it was quite distressing.

“There are a lot of police around so I feel quite safe.”

The man lived alone at the property.

UPDATE 3.20pm

Essex Police is asking residents in the area to check their gardens and bins for the knife used in the attack.

The victim, who has been named locally as John Sales, is undergoing surgery at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

His injuries have been described as “life changing”.

Detective Inspector Jim White, of Colchester CID, said: “We have yet to speak to the victim to get a full account of what happened.

“As yet, we do not know the motive for this attack and are keeping an open mind.

“Our officers are continuing their enquiries today and we believe the weapon may have been discarded.

“We are asking residents in the Hythe, New Town or Military Road areas to be vigilant and would ask them to check their bins and gardens.

“If they find a knife, blade, or blood stained clothing, they are asked to contact us immediately.

“If anyone saw a man fitting the suspect’s description in the Hythe Hill area, either before or after the time of this attack, we urgently need them to get in touch.”

Acting Chief Inspector Gary Chapman, district commander for Colchester, said: “Our neighbourhood constables and PCSOs have been out on extra patrols and we have been working with the Safer Colchester Partnership, which includes Colchester Borough Council’s zone wardens, to provide reassurance to the community.

“I would like to stress that incidents such as this remain extremely rare in Colchester.

“We are continuing our efforts to drive down knife crime and are working in close partnership with community groups and other agencies.

“If anyone has any concerns, or information that could help with our investigation, I would encourage them to speak to our officers as they are there to help you.”

UPDATE Thursday 8.20am

The police cordon remains in place at the scene.

Officers are still at the property.

A spokesman for Essex Police said there is no update on the situation at this point.

UPDATE 1.15pm

Police are still hunting for the knifeman.

Essex Police has said it is not aware of a motive, and has asked residents to be vigilant.

Detective Inspector Jim White said: “I have detectives and uniformed officers carrying out further house to house enquiries in the Hythe Hill area and I would like to hear from any businesses or individuals who have CCTV which covers this area.

“I firmly believe the answer to who carried out this horrendous attack lies within the Colchester community.

“My team has received an encouraging number of calls from members of the public to give us information and I would like to thank everyone in the town for their assistance so far.”

The man is still in a stable condition in hospital.

DI White added: “Due to the victim’s injuries we have yet to get a full account from him of exactly what happened, but at this stage we are not aware of the motive for the attack.”

Extra patrols by police and Colchester Borough Council’s zone wardens are also being provided in the Hythe Hill area and anyone with concerns or information about the attack are encouraged to speak to them.