POLICE have been granted additional stop and search powers after a young man suffered life-threatening stab wounds in Hutton.

Officers with Essex Police have been authorised to carry out stop and searches in specific locations without the need for reasonable grounds to do so after the stabbing.

Police say a fight broke out at around 4.30pm today in Roundwood Avenue, Hutton.

One young man suffered suffered life-threatening stab wounds and remains in hospital.

The additional stop-and-search powers - authorised under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 - allow officers to use stop and search powers in specific locations without the need to have reasonable grounds to stop someone.

This authority was put in place at just before 6pm today and runs until 3am on Monday.

It covers the whole of the Hutton area in Brentwood.

Inspector Simon Moore said: “Officers are patrolling the area to deal with anyone who may be intent on committing crime.

“The additional stop and search powers are a valuable tool to help us identify if anyone is carrying prohibited articles or offensive weapons, and helps us to disrupt criminal activity, take weapons off the streets and keep our community safe."