A teenager was attacked by a gang of up to six men – and suffered knife wounds to his leg.

The incident, which happened on Billet Lane, Stanford-le-Hope at about 10pm on Saturday night, saw an 18-year-old beaten by the vicious group.

Police arrived to find the young man had also been stabbed.

He was later taken to hospital where it is reported that his injuries were not life-threatening.

A spokesman for the police said: “We were contacted following reports that a man had been assaulted in Billet Lane.

“The victim, an 18-year-old boy, was assaulted by a group of up to six men who punched and kicked him.

“During the incident he also suffered stab wounds to the leg.

“The victim was taken to hospital but his injuries are not life-threatening and he remains in a stable condition.”

The incident follows a number of violent crimes involving young people in Stanford-le-Hope recently.

Earlier this month, while walking down Southend Road in the afternoon, three teenagers were threatened with violence by two men who demanded their cash – and designer clothing.

There was also an incident in which two people, a man and a woman, were injured during an attack outside Stanford-le-Hope train station last month.

The chain of incidents has caused concern among residents and businesses in the town.

Jackie Davison, 68, who is retired and lives in the area but didn’t want his address used, said: “It doesn’t feel safe around here anymore I can tell you that.

“You keep reading about all these crimes in the papers and it just makes you wonder what if that happens to me next?

“I know the police are stretched, but there must be something that could be done to help us feel safer and allow us to walk these streets without worrying.”

Several witnesses took to social media to claim it was a London-based gang who were responsible and had travelled to the borough, via public transport, to carry out the attack.

One woman claimed the young boy was forced to crawl to a house for help and said his attackers held up a bus to get away from the scene before fleeing via train back to the capital.

Witnesses to the incident are asked to contact police officers at Grays CID on 101.

Alternatively ring independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.