RESIDENTS have spoken of their shock after a boy was stabbed in an alleyway outside their homes. 

Police set up a cordon next to an alleyway between Rectory Road and Holgate, in Pitsea, at about 2pm today and ambulance vehicles were spotted in Mayfair Avenue, Pitsea.

An air ambulance was seen landing on the Briscoe Primary School playing field.

Witnesses say the boy, thought to be aged 12, was attacked by a gang who also hit him with a hammer. The victim's family took to social media to appeal for information.

One resident said: "It’s shocking that something like this is happening.

"You hear about them happening elsewhere but you don’t think it will happen so close. I hope the child’s okay but it must be serious if they’ve been airlifted."

Another added: "You see and hear teenagers along here but never anything like this. It’s a shock. We heard the shouting and then the air ambulance half an hour later.

"It’s really a shock more than anything else. Nothing ever happens like this around here it’s a quiet neighbourhood.

"I had no idea anything had happened until I heard the helicopter. It’s such a shame to see." 

A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service said: "An ambulance, a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance officer vehicle and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance were called to an address in Pitsea following reports that a child had been stabbed.

"One boy with stab wounds was transported by air ambulance to the Royal London Hospital."

Essex Police has been asked to provide a comment but a response is yet to be received.