A BOY needed surgery after being stabbed multiple times in a street brawl.

The victim was taken to hospital with wounds to his hand and chest, which needed surgery after the attack in Queens Road, Southend.

Police are looking to trace further witnesses who have yet to come forward after the attack, which happened just before 5pm on Tuesday, October 13.

Officers say extensive CCTV enquiries are being carried out.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

DC Layla Barker said: “This was a serious assault that has left a young man needing surgery for his injuries.

“We believe the attack is linked to an earlier incident in which his bike was stolen in Southend High Street at about 4.50pm that afternoon.

“I am keen to speak to a taxi driver who was in the Queens Road area at the time, and to anyone else who saw what happened or was driving past and has dash cam footage.”

Cheryl Nevin, Labour councillor for Milton ward said: “This is terrible to hear someone has been attacked like that.

“My thoughts are with the boy and all his loved ones at this time and hopefully he does make a quick recovery.

“I would also urge anyone who saw this incident or has any information about it to come forward and assist police in bringing justice.

“It is sad to hear this happened and is not the sort of thing we want in the borough.

“This is a residential area and residents will probably have some concern about this.

“Hopefully this is an isolated incident, but it will have a longer impact as recovering from surgery does take it out of you.”

Martin Terry, Independent councillor for community safety, said any violence is abhorrent and we cannot live with knives on our streets.

He said: “This is a terrible attack and I hope the victim recovers.

“We are doing all we can to tackle knife crime.

“People should be able to go about their lives without being in fear of this sort of thing happening.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “The boy who was arrested has been released on bail until November 8 while we continue our enquiries.

We are also working to trace a second suspect, who was described as white, also aged around 17, and wore a dark coloured tracksuit and a black coat.”

Contact DC Barker at Southend CID on 101 quoting reference 42/166531/20 You can also report online at https://www.essex.police.uk

Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org