A “BROKEN bottle” was used to attack a man in Leigh Old Town during a week of carnage as lockdown restrictions began to ease.

The victim suffered “serious facial injuries” according to witnesses who saw the attack in Leigh Old Town.

According to reports, a gang of 20 men approached the victim and two others before launching the violent attack.

It is the latest in a series of incidents last week with Leigh and the Old Town plagued by anti-social behaviour and large gatherings.

It is believed the victim and the attacker had both travelled to Leigh from outside Southend.

Carole Mulroney, ward councillor for the area, slammed the attackers.

She said: “It’s appalling, we have had the other incident which was absolutely tragic.

“Good behaviour seems to have completely disappeared.

“The fact that a dispersal order was already in place, that’s a total disregard for something put in place to avoid incidents of this nature.”

The incident took place at 7.10pm on Tuesday, just 40 minutes after a dispersal order was put in place.

An order was issued in Old Leigh from Tuesday night until Wednesday evening following reports of large crowds in the area and anti-social behaviour.

The area has been plagued with trouble over the last year – including the murder of Luke Bellfield at the end of February.

Essex Police said there was no record of a bottle being used but two men were arrested for having an offensive weapon.

A spokesman said: “We received report of an assault in Leigh High Street on Tuesday March 30.

“Officers in the area were made aware of the incident at around 7.10pm.

“Following a search of the area, no victim of an assault was located.

“A car was stopped on the A13 just 15 minutes later and two people were arrested.

“A 50-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy, both from Basildon, were arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.

“They have since been released under investigation. “ Last week also saw a gang attack a boy in Chalkwell while other incidents saw a robbery on-board a train with the attacker claiming he had a knife. Anyone with information should contact police on 101.