Residents have called for tougher sentences for knife crime in the wake of a stabbing in Southend.

Two people have been arrested after a 16-year-old suffered serious injuries in Central Avenue, Southend, at 4pm today.

The incident comes just two months after Fabian Kacica was fatally stabbed in The Forum, Southend.

Witness Sarah Butler said: “I heard a lot of shouting and then a mother screaming.

“I went to my door and saw the young boy falling to the floor.

"There was blood everywhere and his mother was trying to help him.

"I heard from the paramedics he’s 16 and was stabbed three times.”

A 59-year-old man who lives in Central Avenue said: “There were dozens of police and medics on the scene so it was obviously something serious.

“The cordon went up at about 4pm I think and the forensics arrived shortly after.

“They have been bagging things up but couldn’t tell what.”

A 34-year-old woman who lives in Bournemouth Park Road but was passing by, said: “To be honest it doesn’t really shock me anymore as awful as that sounds.

"It just makes me sad. I read the Echo and it seems like there is a stabbing every day.

“I hope the young lad pulls through. Its so tragic that some of these kids get involved in this kind of thing.”

Karen Wiggins added: "What the hell is wrong with this society?

"There has to be tougher laws for knife crime."

Darren Judd added: "Whatt is wrong with people/kids round here nowadays?

"Running around stabbing people.

"This happened at the top of my road.

"I heard the police and helicopter, but didn't take much notice, as it's become a daily thing now."

Hazel June Fisher added: "Until laws change this wont stop!"