A NIGHT of violence rocked Westcliff as a man and teenager were stabbed in separate attacks within just hours of each other.

The first attack happened on Dunster Avenue which saw a 15-year-old boy stabbed in the back at 4.55pm.

The teenager was found with injuries in the street and was taken to hospital for further treatment.

His injuries are not believed to be life-changing.

Then just six hours later, less than two miles away, a man in his 30s was attacked at the junction of Fairfax Drive and Highfield Crescent.

This incident is believed by Essex Police to be drug-related, and is not being treated as linked to the attack in Dunster Avenue.

Echo: Attack - The 15-year-old boy was stabbed in Dunster Avenue

Members of the public came to the aid of the victim and called the emergency services.

The police were called by the ambulance service and the victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

He remains there in a stable condition.

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Police have launched an appeal for anyone who was in either area at the time and saw or heard anything, or has any camera footage to contact them. 

Echo: Drug incident - The man in his 30s was found near the junction of Fairfax Drive and Highfield Crescent

Commenting on the Fairfax Drive attack, Det Insp Steve Franklin said: “The victim suffered very serious injuries and it’s thanks to the medical treatment he received that his life has been saved.

“We’d like to thank members of the public who assisted the victim and have helped with our enquiries so far.

“We believe he was attacked near Prittle Brook and the incident was drugs-related.

“We’re committed to tackling violent and drugs related crime, which often go hand in hand, and last month alone our Op Raptor and Disruptor teams seized hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of drugs, made several arrests, and secured charges against suspected dealers.”

On the Dunster Road attack, PC Sam Cross said: “Fortunately the young victim was not more seriously hurt and we are continuing our enquiries to establish the circumstances behind this assault and are following a number of leads.

“We will also be carrying out extra patrols in the area, and ask anyone with information about this incident, or any concerns, to please speak to officers.”

He added: “In the year to the end of May 2021, we saw 173 fewer victims of violence with injury crimes, a drop of just over seven per cent.

“Enforcement is just one part of the solution to tackling violent crime, which is why we work with a number of organisations in the Southend district to carry out intervention and education to steer people away from situations.”

Witnesses to the Dunster Road attack should call 101 or visit essex.police.uk quoting reference number 42/126619/21.

Those with information about the attack in Fairfax Drive quote 1462 of June 30.