A MAN was stabbed in his back and leg after telling a masked attacker he didn’t have a cigarette for him.

Police officers launched an investigation after the man reported he was attacked in Greenstead Road, near the junction with Davey Close, Colchester.

The victim, a man in his thirties, alleges he was approached by a man who asked him for a cigarette at about 2am on Sunday, September 11.

When he told the man he didn’t have one, he was then assaulted, suffering stab wounds to his back and leg, Essex Police has stated.

The knife is believed to have been discarded in the Greenstead Road area in the moments afterwards.

“We especially want to hear from anyone who may have found the knife,” said a police spokesman.

The attacker has been described as approximately six foot tall and of medium build, wearing a hat, dark clothing and a black mask over his face.

He is said to have a London accent.

The police spokesman added: “Anyone with information about the incident, or who has dashcam, doorbell or any other footage of it which has not yet been passed to us, is asked to contact us as soon as possible.”

You should quote incident 42/234940/22 in any report.