A THUG stabbed a stranger in the back three times and threatened to throw a bottle of acid over him.

Police and paramedics were called to Whitmore Way, Basildon, after a man was found bleeding in the street.

The man, aged in this 20s, is understood to have been attacked after a row broke out.

As the argument between him and another man became heated, the suspect began threatening to throw acid to disfigure the victim.

Det Supt Kevin Baldwin, responsible for the south local policing area, said: “We are investigating reports of a stabbing in Whitmore Way.

“There was a black male and a white male involved. The black male is the suspect and this lad was with him at the time in the area.

“They are not known to each other and there was some kind of dispute between them.

“The two of them were then involved in a fight and the white man was stabbed three times in the back.

“The suspect was in possession of a bottle, which he was threatening had acid inside it.”

Mr Baldwin said officers searched the surrounding area after the stabbing, and arrested a man in connection with the incident.

He has since been released by police on bail.

The bottle has also been seized and sent off for forensic tests.

Police are classing the incident as grievous bodily harm.

It comes as police launch Operation Sceptre, a week of action dedicated to stamping out knife crime.

An ambulance service spokesman said: “The call came into us at 12.10am on Saturday, there was reports of an incident in Whitmore Way, Basildon.

“We sent a rapid response vehicle and an ambulance officer, who were both on the scene in three minutes.

“These were followed by an ambulance crew, who turned up about seven minutes later.

“One patient, a man believed to be in his 20s, was treated for injuries to his back before being taken to Basildon Hospital for further care.

“His injuries are described as serious but not life-threatening.

“Paramedics at the scene said there was a lot of blood but he was conscious and breathing.”

Enquiries are continuing.

Anyone with information about the stabbing can call Essex Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.