A MAN was left with blood streaming over his face after he was attacked with a knuckleduster outside his own home.

The victim, a 38-year-old man from Basildon, was assaulted after he answered his door in Whitmore Way, Basildon.

The man at the door, who is believed to be known to the victim, rained blows on him with the metal guard, causing serious injuries to his eye.

The victim was left with blood covering his swollen face and a bloodied gash to his eye.

The attacker then fled the scene without taking anything from inside the property.

Det Supt Kevin Baldwin, South local policing area supt, said: "We received a call from the ambulance service that a man had been assaulted and that he had a damaged eye.

"A suspect turned up at the door of the victim's house and attacked him with what we believe to be a knuckleduster.

"The suspect is possibly known to the victim.

"Nothing was taken from the home."

Kevin Blake, Basildon Council's deputy leader, said he was shocked that someone was carrying a knuckleduster in public.

He said: "This is clearly someone going out to harm someone else if you are carrying a knuckleduster on you.

"It's shocking that people are going out and carrying those kind of weapons.

"It's dangerous and they could cause serious harm.

"What could you be using a knuckleduster for other than to hit someone with it?

"They should be banned.

"We have got a knife amnesty bin in Pitsea and I am urging people to get rid of these weapons by placing them in there, no questions asked."

An ambulance service spokesman said: "We got a call at about 10pm to reports of an incident at an address in Whitmore Way, Basildon, to which we sent an ambulance crew.

"A man, believed to be in his 40s, who was conscious and breathing, was treated for facial injuries and taken to Basildon Hospital for further treatment.

"We can't be more specific about his injuries but his face was covered in blood and was swollen."

So far, no arrests have been made and enquiries are continuing.

Police have not issued a description of the attacker.

Anyone with information about the attack, which happened at about 10pm last Saturday, can call Essex Police on 101 or independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Alternatively visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org to complete an online form.