THREE thugs stormed into a house and threatened people with a gun, knife and hammer before attacking a man.

The men, described by witnesses as being black, entered an address on St. John's Crescent on Canvey shortly before 5.30pm on Friday.

Their victim, a man in his 20s, was attacked after the thugs made threats to the other occupants.

The three men were then reported to have left the property in a blue hatchback car, which was later recovered by police officers in Chadwell St. Mary.

Officers and paramedics arrived and the man in his 20s was taken to hospital with injuries to his head and stab wound lacerations to his arm and leg.

His injuries were serious but not considered life-threatening or life-changing.

Detective Inspector Jamie Mills said: "I would like to thank everyone who has come forward with information so far. Your help has been invaluable.

"We are still keen to speak to anyone who has information about the incident, or saw a blue hatchback car in the Canvey or Chadwell St. Mary areas driving suspiciously, dangerously or anti-socially and captured it on their dash cam."

Chief Inspector Neil Pudney, district commander in South Essex, said: "We understand that incidents like this will cause concern in the community, however we are treating this as a targeted crime and do not believe there is any further risk to members of the public.

"However, we have arranged for extra police patrols in the area and encourage people to talk to officers if they have any concerns or information."

Call Basildon CID on 101 quoting crime reference 42/115059/19 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org