EXTRA police patrols will be taking place on Canvey this weekend after two attacks within an hour.

A 16-year-old boy was stabbed after an altercation with a group of teenagers on Knightswick Road at 4.50pm on Friday.

He suffered serious but not life-changing injuries and was taken to hospital.

Just 40 minutes later at 5.30pm, three thugs carrying a suspected gun, hammer and knife stormed a house in St John's Crescent and attacked a man in his 20s.

He suffered a head wound and stab lacerations to his arms. The injuries were serious but not life-changing or threatening.

Chief Inspector Neil Pudney, district commander for Southend, said the incidents are not linked and are being treated as isolated with no wider threat to the public.

He said: "We understand that incidents like this will cause concern in the community, however we are treating them 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 42/115015/19 for the Knightswick Road incident and 42/115059/19 for the incident in St John's Crescent.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.