A MAN was stabbed after a group of eight people attempted to steal his phone. 

Police have launched an appeal for information about the incident, in Thames Road, Grays, at about 4.10pm yesterday. 

Police received reports that a man was approached by a group of up to eight people who demanded his phone. 

They then stabbed the man under the right arm pit and left the scene.

The 22-year-old man was taken to hospital for his injuries, which have been described as serious but not life threatening.

Anyone with information and dash cam and CCTV footage is asked to call Grays CID on 101 quoting crime reference 42/140736/18.

You can report information by visiting www.essex.police.uk/do-it-online or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.