POLICE believe a man found stabbed on a Leigh street could have been wounded when a passer-by bumped into him.

Officers said yesterday the 34-year-old victim had been walking in East Street, just before 9.30pm on Monday, March 17, when a man bumped into him as he walked by.

After reaching the Broadway, a short time later, he noticed he had been stabbed. He was taken to hospital and is nowrecovering from his injuries at home.

A 30-year-old woman was initially arrested over the incident but was later let go without charge.

Police sealed off an area behind The Broadway shops and part of Oakleigh Park Drive the next day while searching for evidence.

Now officers want to speak to the man who bumped into him moments before he noticed his injuries.

Det Con Layla Baker of Southend CID, said: “We are not sure if this male passer-by is a suspect, or witness, but we need to identify him and talk to him.

“He was a white man, aged about 30, 6ft tall, slim, with dark hair. At the time he was wearing dark clothing.”

Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to call detectives at Southend on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.