RESIDENTS said they were stunned to see dozens of police officers on their estate after a man was found dead in a flat.

Police arrived at the address in Forest Road, Colchester, shortly before 3pm yesterday after concerns about a man's welfare were raised.

They found a man in his 50s dead at the scene.

One woman who lives nearby said her teenage son had asked police what the commotion was.

She said: "Police gave us very vague details at the start.

"My son went to ask if we were at risk and all they would tell him was that it was an ongoing investigation.

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"We have other younger children and we just want to be reassured that we are safe.

"The door is now on a double lock."

Another person living in Forest Road said he had been alerted to the police when he returned home from work yesterday.

He said: "There were three forensic vans, two detectives and lots of police cars.

"My sons came and told me about it and I was really surprised.

"They came out and knocked on all of the doors but they don't really tell you too much.

"You could see the lights were on all night in one of the flats on the ground floor.

"I don't know anybody who lives there even to speak to really but you wish the family well.

"It isn't what you want on your doorstep."

Another resident arrived home late last night to find police on the road.

She didn't think police being there was unusual until spotting forensic team.

"You see a lot of police around here - it isn't unusual at all to see police cars," she said.

"But you know things are a bit more serious when the forensic men in white suits arrive.

"That is when you start to think 'what is going on?'"

Another woman who lives further up the road said police had been patrolling up and down the road on Wednesday night.

She said: "I saw a police car.

"It was driving up and down for a couple of hours.

"My neighbour came and spoke to me and said she had been told something serious had happened.

"I'm massively shocked."

Police enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident, or who may have access to nearby CCTV or dashcam footage, is asked to call 101 quoting the incident number 694 of Wednesday.

Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.