A man who was found stabbed to death in a central Brighton street has been formally identified.

Stuart Slade, 35, of Old Steine, Brighton, was found in Hampton Place, off Western Road, by passers-by at 2.30am on Tuesday morning.

Mr Slade, who was unemployed, had been repeatedly stabbed in the chest.

His parents, who do not live in Sussex, travelled to Royal Sussex County Hospital today to formally identify his body.

Police are hunting his killer and urging anyone who was in the area at the time to contact them.

Det Ch Insp Steve Johns who is leading the investigation said: "Our thoughts are very much with Stuart's family and friends at this tragic time.

"As we continue to piece together Stuart's last known movements earlier that evening, we urgently ask anyone with information to contact the murder enquiry team."

Detectives believe CCTV footage from Western Road could hold the key to their investigation.

They are asking businesses to supply their footage to add to the police’s own images.

Officers looking for the murder weapon searched bins and carried out house-to-house inquiries after yesterday’s attack.

Medical equipment used by paramedics to try to revive the man was left in Hampton Place, just off Western Road, Brighton, as officers investigated the crime scene.

A post-mortem examination was being carried out last night.

Police do not yet know Mr Slade was attacked after an argument or was killed by someone trying to rob him.

Neighbours living nearby reported hearing a man singing football chants while walking north along Sillwood Road towards Hampton Place at around the time of the Mr Slade's death.

One man, who asked not to be named, said: "This man was chanting at the top of his voice and must have woken up everyone in the area.

"He sounded very drunk and I got up and watched him from my window disappear in the direction of Hampton Place.

"Then a few seconds later he fell silent. I didn't think anything of it but it was about the same time as the stabbing took place."

Another neighbour said: "A man walked past at about 2.30am chanting and banging a drum.

"He woke everyone up with his shouting and banging. It was incredibly annoying."

Others said they were shocked somebody was killed so close to their home.

Leanne Willets said: "I've lived here a while now and it has always been a relatively quiet place.

"You do get people walking along here from Western Road late at night after they've been to the bars but I've never known anyone get attacked.

"But it seems like you're not safe anywhere now and it's frightening to think people are carrying knives.”

Mr Slade was pronounced dead at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Samples of his clothing have been sent away for examination.

The case is the first knife murder in the city this year - and took place just a few streets from the spot where 22-year-old carpenter Dave Stunell was stabbed to death in August 2007.

After his killer, London teenager Aaron Aymer, was jailed, The Argus launched its Knives Cost Lives campaign to press the Government to impose tougher sentences on people who carry a blade.

More than 900 people signed our petition for a minimum two-year prison term for people caught in illegal possession of a knife.

There were 166 recorded knife crimes, including robbery, assault, and burglaries, in Brighton and Hove between January 1 and August 31 this year - a rate of more than four a week, or 249 a year. That would mean a rise from 2007, when 224 crimes were reported, and the 241 crimes in 2006.

Where cases in the city were solved, about half were committed by people aged under 25.

Anyone with information about Mr Slade's death is asked to call 0845 6070999 quoting Operation Kite, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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