A SERIOUS assault in a Colchester alleyway which left a man in hospital has been confirmed as a stabbing as a police probe into the incident continues.
The incident took place shortly after 9pm on Saturday in Kendall Road Folley with police responding by closing off Military Road.
A cordon in Kendall Road Folley remained in place until the following morning and the victim, who police say was approached from behind and stabbed in the shoulder, was taken to hospital for emergency treatment.
Police have said they are still unable to pin down the individual behind the attack and are now appealing to members of the public for help.
Det Insp Tim Coyles, of Colchester’s criminal investigation department, said officers are carrying out house-to-house checks and reviewing CCTV footage as part of their enquiries.
He said: “We’ve been working around the clock to identify strong lines of enquiry to ensure that the person or people responsible for this incident are identified and ultimately put before the court.
“At this stage, we do believe this was an isolated incident which may have involved people known to each other.
“Our assessment is that there is no ongoing threat to our community.
“But, of course, that will not allay the concerns of residents in New Town, who will naturally be shocked.”
The day after the stabbing, Winnock Road resident Kirsty Rooks, 34, told the Gazette the alleyway is a hotspot for criminals and drug dealers.
She said: “There's a few people that hang around there with drink and drugs and stuff.
“I wouldn't want to walk down there at night – but even in the day, they're not shy.
“There are some oldish people in their late 50s always drinking – they fall asleep down there on the path.
“There are 30-year-olds you can tell they have been taking drugs – a lot of dealing and stuff goes on down there.”
He said: “We’ve spoken to numerous people to gain witness accounts but I would continue to appeal to anyone with information on this incident, to please come forward and speak to us.
"If you do not want to speak directly to the police, you can provide information anonymously to Crimestoppers.”
Reports should cite 1064 of October 1.
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