TWO men were stabbed within a matter of hours during a pair of disturbing incidents in Colchester.
One victim was approached by a masked attacker who stabbed him after he refused a request for a cigarette in Greenstead Road.
Another man in his thirties was then knifed hours later in St Botolph’s Street while sat in his car on the same day on September 11.
Essex Police launched a double appeal yesterday afternoon for information as officers hunt a knife they believe was discarded in the early hours of the morning.
The first incident, which took place near the Davey Close junction, saw a man in his thirties approached by another who asked him for a cigarette at about 2am.
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 feet 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.
Hours later, between 4am and 5.15am, a man was attacked by a knifeman while sitting in his white BMW as a disturbance broke out around him.
The row is said to have taken place between Fresh Shawarma and Chez Afrique in St Botolph’s Street.
The man managed to get to hospital where he was then treated for his injury following his wound.
Essex Police is now looking into both early hours incidents and has appealed for any witnesses to get in touch.
“If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us,” added the police spokesman.
If you can assist with the Greenstead Road incident, you should call the police on 101 and cite incident 42/234940/22.
For the St Botolph’s Street stabbing, quote 42/234851/22 Alternatively, an anonymous report can be submitted via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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