Two people were left with stab injuries after reports of a "machete" attack in Basildon Town Centre.

Here's all we know about the incident yesterday afternoon. Roughly a dozen officers were seen swarming the town centre yesterday at about 3pm, after reports of a stabbing in St Martin’s square.

Workers based in the town centre claim they witnessed a gang of yobs on bikes before the victims were attacked close to Basildon market.

Four people have been detained by police following the incident.

One shop worker, who asked not to be named, said: “I heard from a colleague that it was kids on bike with balaclavas and someone was stabbed and it was a machete.

“We saw the emergency services and I think it’s all very concerning. We don’t see things like this here often, thankfully.”

A grandmother, who was shopping at the time, added: “I saw a young man on the ground and he later got up and onto a stretcher and was taken away by ambulance crews.

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“As a grandmother myself I think it is very worrying indeed and I just hope he’s okay. I heard it was a stabbing and I saw lots of people standing about trying to work out what was happening.”

Police are now urgently appealing for any witnesses or anywith additional information to come forward as they probe the incident.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Four people have been detained following an incident in Basildon town centre. We received reports shortly after 3pm yesterday of two people having sustained stab wounds in the St Martins Square area.

“Officers carried out a search of the area and four people have been detained. If you have any information or CCTV, dash cam or any other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

“Please quote incident 704 of October 4. You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

“Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our website reporting services.

Alternatively you can call us on 101. In an emergency always call 999.”