A man was reportedly stabbed and left covered in blood in the street, during an incident that led to police using additional stop and search powers.

Various residents say they saw a man covered in blood in Old Leigh yesterday afternoon following the incident.

A huge police presence was spotted in the town.

Officers were called shortly after 6.10pm to reports of the disturbance involving a group of men in the High Street, near the Peterboat pub.

One man was taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

In response to the incident, police were authorised to use stop and search powers under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

This is an extension of the stop and search powers officers already use but differs because it means officers do not need to have reasonable grounds to stop someone.

The order covered parts of Southend and Hadleigh and was in place from 6.39pm until 9.39pm last night.

Essex Police and the ambulance service have been contacted regarding the reports of a stabbing.