A STABBING in Leigh has left a councillor in “despair” at how to tackle knife crime.

Peter Wexham, Liberal Democrat councillor for Leigh ward, says there needs to be major changes to give police and councils more power across the UK.

He spoke out following an incident where a man in his 20s was stabbed in his back and side during the row in Leigh Road on Friday night.

Police were called to the scene, close to the junction with Chalkwell Park Drive, at about 10.30pm.

Mr Wexham said: “I just despair at the way things are going, not just here but across the whole country with these stabbings.

“We need more police on the beat with more experience, I’m not sure where we’re going with these incidents as it just gets worse every year.”

The victim’s injuries are not life-threatening and a 20-year-old man was arrested close to the scene. He was questioned on suspicion of GBH and has been released on conditional bail.

Mr Wexham suggested several ways to tackle rising knife crime, citing drugs and alcohol as a key issue leading to violence.

He added: “People get drunk and it causes more problems because of the intoxication “Until there’s more control on these sorts of things I believe this will continue.

“As ward councillors, we’re not allowed to be on the committee for drinking places in our own wards so we don’t get the chance to stop these things.”

Along with more powers, Mr Wexham would like police officers to be given the chance to integrate with the community more.

He believes that if officers are allowed to speak with children at a young age it may reduce the number of youths carrying knives.

He said: “If they can speak more at schools and educate these children, maybe the problems they have can be halted at school and not lead into adulthood.”

Police said the incident happened near the Broker pub.

Thomas Gloyne, owner of the Broker, said: “We got called by Leigh Pubwatch who informed us about the incident and asked us to call the police which we did.

“Chris Huggett, from Mariners Court pub, also received the call and rushed around to try and resolve the incident.”

Essex Police are appealing for information. Call 101 citing crime reference 42/130799/23.