SIX rough sleepers have died in Colchester in the past six years, statistics have revealed.

Figures released by the Office of National Statistics showed that half of those deaths happened in 2018.

The ONS counted anyone with no fixed abode at the time of their death including rough sleepers and people living in night shelters or homeless hostels.

Rough sleeper Martin Dines, 56, was brutally beaten to death in St Mary’s car park in April last year.

His murderers Mark Hartley and Darren Miller were jailed for life, while Heidi Kennedy was given a five year jail term after being convicted of manslaughter.

Two months earlier, a man in his 40s died of natural causes while staying at St Peter’s Church Hall as part of the guest house initiative.

The ONS figures only cover the time between the start of 2013 and the end of 2018.

At least two more rough sleepers have died this year.

Carl Hopkins was found dead in Ryegate Road, Colchester, in February after being stabbed to the death.

The teenager who knifed him was cleared of murder after claiming he acted in self-defence.

Another rough sleeper died in the car park of The Gym in Queen Street in March after a drug overdose.

Across England and Wales, 726 homeless people died in 2018 – up 22 per cent from the previous year, and 51 per cent more than in 2013.

A spokesperson for Colchester Council said: “Every death on our streets is one too many and is a reminder of the complex social issues that cause people to become homeless and sleep rough that we, as a council, have been working hard to tackle. “

In May last year, extra Government funding allowed the council to try to reduce homelessless.

The money allowed it to employ outreach workers, increase night shelter bed space, pilot a new housing first approach and boost the severe weather emergency protocol.

Between December last year and April, 25 rough sleepers were supported into emergency accommodation, seven went into long term accommodation and four at risk of rough sleeping were prevented from living on the street.

Further funding will now mean the council can create two new posts for navigators who will offer intensive support to homeless people facing multiple disadvantages.