There have been calls for more police on Southend's streets after the latest stabbing in the town.

The victim of the most recent incident was rushed to hospital in a life-threatening condition and police are now urgently appealing for witnesses in a bid to track down the attackers.

Neighbours who live in the street reported hearing screaming and shouting at the time of the incident.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We’re appealing for witnesses after a man was stabbed.

“We were contacted at 1.40am yesterday on Tuesday, June 12, with reports a group of men were seen chasing a man in Kenway.

“Officers attended and while they were at the scene, a further call came into police at 1.45am reporting a 21-year-old man had been admitted to hospital with multiple stab injuries to his chest, back and face.

“His injuries were described as life-threatening.

“Detectives want to speak to witnesses or anyone who captured footage or images of the incident.

“Contact Southend CID on 101 quoting incident number 70 of June 12.”

The attack is just the latest knife incident to have occurred in the borough and the community is increasingly concerned about the perceived increase in violent crime.

In the space of a few months, there were several high-profile knife incidents which blighted Southend.

This culminated in a fatal stabbing which shook the community

Last month, shop-worker Fabian Kacica, 19, was stabbed to death outside the Forum library and caused the community to rally and march in protest to violence through the high street.

Martin Terry, Independent councillor for Thorpe Ward, said: “How many families’s need to be affected before we get the extra resources we need?

“This is real blood-on-your-hands stuff now. Sooner or later the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner is going to have to face the facts.

“I have said it so many times - community safety is the heart of a civilised society and we are now seeing the cost of that being watered down and it is affecting families.”

Official patrol group Guardian Angels have been patrolling the high street in a bid to help provide a visible uniformed presence.

Mr Terry added: “We don’t need vigilantes on the streets. We need professionally trained, well-equipped police officers who can arrest people and tackle criminal activity.”

Alternatively, contact the independent crimefighting charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online