TWO men have been released under investigation after a double stabbing in Rayleigh.

Essex Police are appealing for witnesses to the brawl in Rayleigh High Street at around 3.20am on Sunday.

A police spokesman said: “A 20-year-old man suffered a stab wound to his abdomen.

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

“A 24-year-old man suffered a minor stab wound."

An 18-year-old man from Leigh and a 21-year-old man from Hockley were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and have been released under investigation.

Earlier this month, gun shots were reportedly fired in Station Avenue, Rayleigh, and two men were arrested and released under investigation.

Residents have said Rayleigh is now “like the wild west” and more measures are needed to protect residents.

Rayleigh Residents’ Association previously said High Street was becoming “dangerous” and that more CCTV was “badly needed”.

Families have been calling for more CCTV for months, with fears being expressed to police and crime commissioner Roger Hirst at a public meeting in the town in May.

Max Turin, 52, who lives near High Street, said: “Rayleigh Town Council need to sort their act out and get the CCTV working again, the High Street is like the wild west these days.”

Jenny Makepeace wrote on social media: “I grew up in Rayleigh and never felt scared.

“How awful that society has changed so much.

“Stick these horrors in the Army and teach them some respect and discipline.”

Fellow resident Dean Whitford, 40, said: “There’s lowlifes like this everywhere at the moment, it’s an utter joke.

“You can’t just go out and have a good time and enjoy yourself, people just want to stab other people instead. I don’t get the mentality.

“It’s just not safe anywhere these days.

“The authorities need to get a better grip of things, and we need to make sure people don’t resort to this kind of thing in the future.”

Anyone with information should call Southend CID on 101 quoting incident 265 of Sunday August 25.

You can also report crime online at essex.police.uk/do-it-online.

People can also call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use their anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.