ESSEX Police are referring themselves to a watchdog over their response to an incident which later saw three people found stabbed to death.

The force confirmed that they were initially called to a concern for welfare in Wellesley Road, Colchester, at 10.15pm on Saturday following reports of an altercation.

Three men were found dead two hours later.

Danny Gibson, 35, and 31-year-old Jason Gibson, both from Colchester and believed to be related, were found dead inside a property.

Richard Booth, 35, and also from Colchester was found inside a car in Hospital Road, Colchester.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We will be referring ourselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct to review our response to the incident.”

Tom Saunders, of Bounstead Road, Colchester, has been charged with three counts of murder and appeared at magistrates court on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old will appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday.