A teenager was left with serious injuries to his legs after being stabbed in Billericay.

Essex Police received several calls from residents reporting groups of teenagers were congregating in the Billericay area and behaving anti-socially, yesterday evening (August 30).

At around 7pm, officers were called to reports that a teenager had been stabbed in Morris Avenue.

When the team arrived, a 16-year old boy was found with serious injuries to his legs.

The injuries are thankfully not described as life-threatening or life-changing and he is now recovering in hospital supported by officers.

To help keep the wider community safe and prevent further disorder, additional stop-and-search powers were authorised.

This was under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, which meant officers would not need to have reasonable grounds to carry out a stop and search of people in the area.

Read more:

Stop and search measures launched over reports of assaults and weapons

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Blakesley, of the South Command team, said: “At this time, we believe that this was a targeted incident between known parties.

“We know this incident will be concerning for those of you who work and live in the area, but please know that we are taking this very seriously and we are confident that there is no threat to the wider public.

“The additional stop-and-search powers were authorised to help us identify those who may still be in the area, intent on committing crime.

“The order was in place until 9.30am this morning, and no further incidents of violence were reported.

“Our officers will be a visible presence in Billericay and its surrounding areas, and we are speaking with local residents, reviewing available CCTV and investigating the information provided to us so far.

“If you may be able to help our investigation and have not already spoken with us, please get in contact or talk to an officer directly.

“Know that we will not tolerate this behaviour in our communities and anyone carrying a weapon, no matter what your justification may be, will be dealt with robustly.”

Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed the incident, or anyone with dash cam or doorbell footage from the area, to please get in contact.

If you can help, call Basildon CID on 101 and quote the incident number 1024 of August 30.