DO you recognise this man?

Police have released a CCTV image of someone they want to speak to in connection with a stabbing in Colchester High Street in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Following an altercation at about 4.30am, a man in his 20s was stabbed in the stomach.

Police believe a screwdriver was the weapon used in the attack.

The attacker then left in the direction of St Peter’s Street in the Dutch Quarter.

Gazette:

The man has been described as white, in his 20s with short mousey brown hair.

He is thought to have been of a medium build.

The victim was rushed to hospital after suffering the stab wound and was initially described as being in a life-threatening condition.

Police now say he is in a in a stable, but non-life threatening condition.

His injuries are still described as serious.

Police launched an investigation in the hours immediately after the attack.

Stretches of West Stockwell Street, Colchester, which links to the High Street to St Peter’s Street was cordoned off by police on Sunday.

Police dogs and specialist forensic officers were spotted on the road as inquiries into the stabbing began.

Darius Laws, Conservative councillor for Castle ward, moved to reassure residents the incident was likely to have been a one-off and insisted the area was still safe for visitors and people who live there.

Concerns had been raised after a series of incidents including the latest stabbing, a knife attack in Osborne Street in January and a brawl outside Atik in High Street last month.

Police were forced to introduce a 48-hour dispersal order across the whole of the town centre after a large scale brawl broke out outside the popular nightspot .

The fight began when one person had been asked to leave the club but lingered until closing time when hundreds of people were spilling out onto the surrounding streets.

Passersby then threw food, drink and glass bottles into the fracas.

Anyone with information about the identity of the man pictured or witnessed the incident, is asked to contact Colchester CID on 101, quoting incident 151 of March 18.

Information can also be given to charity Crimestoppers completely anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.