A teenager suffered stab wounds to his head, body and arms after he was attacked in Eastwood.

The 16-year-old boy from Leigh, was rushed to Southend Hospital after the attack at a block of flats in Mansell Close.

The attack comes as the borough’s police chief revealed a huge increase in violent crime, including murder, with 399 more offences between July 2014 and July 2015 then the previous period – a rise of 13.8 per cent.

The boy remains in hospital after the latest attack, but he is not thought to be seriously hurt.

Sandra Purple, 66, retired, of Mansell Close, said: “It is pretty safe round here and it’s the first time anything like this has really happened.

“It is shocking to hear. It’s so close to home.”

Another Mansell Close resident, who asked not to be named, said he was always hearing about problems at the block of flats.

The attack happened at about 11.25am on Monday.

A spokesman for police said: “A 16-year-old boy from Leigh suffered stab wounds to his head, body and arm.

“He was taken to Southend Hospital for treatment with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. Officers carried out a search of the area and investigations are ongoing.

“Anyone with information can contact Rayleigh CID on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.”

Ch Insp Simon Anslow, district commander for Southend, said violent crimes against a person had increased considerably, but pointed out 342 of those offences were violence without injury – the most minor form of assault.

It was the only type of crime that had risen in the 12 months after the team recorded 69 fewer robberies, 124 fewer house burglaries and 25 fewer crimes involving vehicles.

Southend has been rocked by recent killings.

Albert Williams, 67, was found dead in his home in Cedar Close, Southend on August 8.

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Hassan Mohammed Ibrahim, 26, from Peckham, London, died on July 7 last year, a day after being stabbed in the street.

Anton Levin a 24-year-old drug dealer from Dagenham, was killed in St Anne’s Road, Southend, after he was stabbed in the right leg in November.

Dad Steven Woodhouse, 30, was stabbed in a scrapyard in Park Lane, Westcliff, in June.