A 26-year-old man was reportedly stabbed near the Premier Shop in Walton last night.

Police arrested a 25-year-old man from the town on suspicion of wounding with intent but he was released without charge.

The force is appealing for witnesses to the incident, saying the motives for it remain unclear.

Nearby residents say around 8 vehicles turned up outside the general store, including two ambulances.

A police statement today said a man was found injured in Walton High Street just after 9.15pm.

He entered the shop with a puncture wound to his abdomen and was taken to hospital by the ambulance service. His injury is not life-threatening.

Officers are trying to establish a motive for the incident and are searching for the suspect.

Staff at the Premiere Shop today knew little of the incident, citing shift changes.

But nearby hairdresser Chris Grant of Jaynes Salon said there were many police vehicles in the high street last night, including unmarked ones.

“We had it all here,” she said today.

Chris said she did not know exactly what had happened but “something” certainly did.

The hairdresser described the alleged stabbing as a “one off” for the seaside resort.

“We don’t normally get anything like that,” she added.
 

Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Clacton CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.