A TEENAGER was stabbed in the arm after being approached by two men in Colchester.

Essex Police were contacted at just before 6pm on Friday following reports that a 17-year-old boy had been stabbed.

The victim was in Gurdon Road, near to Berechurch Road, when the incident happened.

He was approached by two men, one of whom stabbed him in the arm, before the pair made off.

It is understood the victim made his way to the Co-op store in Mersea Road, where the alarm was raised.

The teenager suffered minor injuries to his upper arm and was taken by the East of England Ambulance Service to Colchester General Hospital for treatment.

Police officers attended the scene and carried out a search of the area for the suspects.

Acting Det Sgt Trevor Clark, of Colchester CID, said: "The area would have been busy at the time so we would like to hear from anyone who may have seen the incident or anything suspicious in the moments leading up to it.

"We would like to reassure the community that we do not believe this was a random incident and we are doing all we can to catch those responsible.”

A nearby resident said she was shocked by the incident.

“I didn’t see anything, but I was at home at the time," she said.

“I’m shocked that something like this could happen on my doorstep.

“I’ve never heard of any trouble around here really, but there appears to have been a lot of incidents happening in Colchester lately.”

Rosemarie Bartier added: "I work at the school on Canterbury Road and most of the time I leave work about the time it happened.

"I don't drive so walk to and from work - I can feel quite vulnerable being on my own walking in the dark.

"Hearing about this stabbing in the area hasn't helped."

Other residents in Gurdon Road told the Gazette they were unaware the incident had taken place in their street.

Witnesses can contact Colchester CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.