A MAN was clubbed with a baseball bat and slashed with a knife in a horrific attack in broad daylight.

The victim was in Bromley Road, Colchester, when he was approached by a woman for directions.

When he stopped to help her he was allegedly attacked by three men.

He was hit over the head with the bat before being pushed to the ground. He was then allegedly cut from his ear to his jaw and robbed.

Details of the incident, on Monday, July 18, at 3pm, came to light yesterday.

Mike Lilley, Colchester councillor responsible for safer communities, said: “I’m completely speechless and shocked. It’s horrendous.

“It’s happened in such an open area that someone must have seen something and I would urge them to speak to police. I would also ask the public to be very careful.

“I will certainly be speaking to police and asking what they will be doing about this.

“I am extremely worried about police coverage in Colchester at a time when officers are being cut. We need a serious conversation about whether we are safe.”

The gang stole a gold chain from the man, two bank cards and £25.

Mike Hogg, ward councillor for St Anne’s and St John’s, added: “I’m appalled anything like this could happen at all, especially during the day.

“Unfortunately criminals don’t have a time at which they will break into someone’s house or mug someone. Things do happen in daylight.

“Colchester really is a very low-crime area. That doesn’t make it any easier for the poor guy hit over the head with a baseball bat.

“It does make people very nervous and unsafe.”

An Essex Police spokesman said they received a 999 call at 7.15pm on July 18 after a man, 55, was robbed of his wallet and gold chain.

It was initially reported he was approached by a woman who asked for directions. When he stopped to assist, he was struck on the head with a blunt instrument. His injuries were not thought to be serious.

Further details were sent out by police at a later date and the Gazette received the information from a member of the public yesterday.

Anyone with information can call Colchester Police on 101.