A MAN was stabbed in the street by two thugs in the second violent crime in a road in three days.

The Echo reported yesterday a 53- year-old man was left bleeding in the street after he was robbed of his bag near the footpath in Brook Road, Benfleet.

That attack prompted concerns from one resident that the area near the footpath – which connects Richmond Park and the Bird estate – had become vulnerable to crooks after the removal of street lighting.

Now, we can reveal, just days before that attack took place, another man was stabbed in the street in Brook Road in an unrelated incident.

A spokeswoman for Essex Police said officers were called to Brook Road at 9.20pm last Wednesday after reports a man in his twenties had suffered stab wounds.

She said: “A man in his twenties was taken to hospital suffering puncture wounds. The victim, who is from Southend, discharged himself from hospital before officers were able to take a statement.

“Officers have been unable to contact him to get details about the incident. It has been suggested those responsible may have been two black men wearing dark clothing.”

The area where both attacks took place had its street lighting removed in August last year.

Andrew Sheldon, Tory borough councillor for St Mary’s ward, in which the incidents occurred, said he would be looking into the lack of street lighting in Brook Road.

He said: “Castle Point is a low crime borough, so it is shocking to have two violent crimes in the space of a few days near our park.

“The police, the borough council and Essex County Council have a role to play in ensuring residents are safe on our streets.

“I will be raising the issue with the community safety team at Castle Point Council to see what more we can do, but ultimately street lighting is the responsibility of Essex County Council.

“I will raise the matter with our local county councillor and I urge all concerned residents to do the same.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council confirmed the lamp post in Brook Road was removed for health and safety reasons after it was damaged in a road crash in August last year. He said the light was owned by Castle Point Council, who must carry out the repairs.