A MAN was stabbed in the hand and a woman received a cut to the head during a knife attack inside a house.

The incident happened in Sycamore Grove, Southend, just before midday on Sunday.

One man, aged 39, was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) after the man, 33, and woman, 35, were taken to Southend Hospital.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said he noticed a heavy police presence following the alleged assault.

He said: “They were going up and down the street, I didn’t know what was going on at the time.

“There was a blue BMW parked up by the Chinese takeaway on Sutton Road and it looked like they had a man against the wall.

“It is worrying when things like this happen but it’s not exactly unusual to see things kicking off around here.”

Police described the male victim’s hand injury as “minor” and it is understood he was released from hospital the same day.

Another resident said she would like to see more police patrols in the street and surrounding area to act as a deterrent.

She said: “Something like this doesn’t really surprise me. There is open drug dealing taking place on the street and it is very, very obvious.

“I don’t know what this was about but you do live with the worry that things like this will happen.

“We had a problem a while ago with youngsters and vandalism. They have moved on so it’s not as bad now, but we still have problems.”

An Essex Police spokesman said the arrested man was still being quizzed at time of going to press.

He said: “Police were called shortly before 11.50am on Sunday March 19 with reports two people had been assaulted in Sycamore Grove, Southend.

“A 33-year-old man suffered a minor stab wound to his hand.

“A 35-year-old woman was assaulted and suffered a minor cut to her head and bruising. Both were taken to hospital.

“A 39-year-old man from Southend was arrested on suspicion of GBH and is currently in custody for questioning."