THE murderers of James Attfield and Nahid Almanea are being protected by tight alliances, the county's top cop believes. 

Essex Police Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh also said he believes those ties will break. 

James, 33, of East Bay, in Colchester, was found fatally stabbed more than 100 times near to Lower Castle Park in March. He died shortly after.

Saudi student Nahid was found stabbed repeatedly along the Salary Brook Trail in June. 

Speaking at the Essex Police Challenge, which was held at Colchester Sixth Form last night, Ch Con Kavanagh said: "These people are being protected by friendship groups or alliances. 

"When an awful event occurs like what we have seen in Colchester, more than one person knows about it.

"But those alliances will break.

"Someone will talk to us. Those alliances will break and someone will come forward.

"And when they do, we will be ready." 

SEE MONDAY'S GAZETTE FOR A SPECIAL REPORT FROM THE POLICE CHALLENGE.