COLCHESTER Council has ramped up its security after the fatal stabbing of MP Sir David Amess.

The Southend West MP died last Friday after being attacked at a church in Leigh-on-Sea during a surgery with constituents.

Today, Ali Harbi Ali, 25, from North London, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with murder and the preparation of terrorist acts.

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at the Old Bailey tomorrow.

On Wednesday night, Colchester Council had three doorkeepers providing an extra layer of security for those attending its full council meeting.

Metal detecting devices also swept entrants, whose belongings were also checked.

The tightened security left Colchester’s former Lib Dem MP Sir Bob Russell feeling “reassured”.

“It was like airport-style security, but not as dramatic,” said Sir Bob.

“This being done was a reassurance for all participants. In all my years of attending Colchester Council meetings, I’ve never known it to be done before.

“Whether it becomes a regular feature, who knows? It’s the council’s credit they took immediate action to ensure everyone’s safety.

“All attending were searched in a dignified and efficient way to ensure nobody was entering the town hall with a metal implement.

“In my years as MP, these kinds of searches were routine. To see it at council level shows they have taken it seriously.

“There was always a danger after Friday’s tragic events there could be a copy-cat incident and so to take all precaution was a sensible approach.

“It is better to go above and beyond and be proven wrong, than to have not bothered and then only have hindsight and regret to look back on.”

Sir Bob also called for MPs’ staff to be given better protection, as well as their high-profile bosses.

He added: “There is all this talk about the security of MPs, but what we mustn’t forget is the same protection is required for their staff.

“Quite often they are more on the frontline than the MPs.”

A Colchester Council spokesperson said: “Councillors have this week received a briefing on their personal security, to enable them to continue to safely undertake their roles.”