A MAN who was brutally beaten and left for dead by a gang of seven young men was trying to stop drug taking near his home.

The victim, 45, was in Falcon Way, Shoebury, when he was set upon.

Neighbours believe he was attacked because he had challenged the culprits, believed to be teenagers, about hanging around and smoking drugs.

The group surrounded the man before punching, kicking, and stamping on him.

The victim, from Shoebury, suffered four broken ribs, a punctured right lung, a dislocated shoulder and multiple bruises all over his body.

He was taken to Southend Hospital for treatment to his serious injuries, which are not thought to be life threatening.

Investigating officer Det Con Chris Adam, said: “This was an appalling act of violence which has left a man with serious injuries. I really need to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the attack.”

Neighbours reported seeing a gang of youths hanging around a block of flats in the street.

They claimed the victim had told the gang to go away when he was set upon.

One, who didn’t want to be named, said: “There were kids smoking drugs behind the flats.

The victim had a row with them and they started hitting him. It was awful.”

Andrea Thompson, 45, who lives in the road, said: “A lot of people came out to see what was going on. There were three police cars and an ambulance.

“I have lived here for 12 years and never known anything like this. It’s usually a quiet road.”

Police want to speak to anyone who was in the area at about 7.15pm on Saturday.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Chris Adam, or his colleagues at Southend CID, on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.