SHOCKED community leaders have urged the people who may have witnessed the stabbing of a teenage boy to come forward.

Essex Police are appealing for information after a 16-year-old boy suffered the stab wound following a party at a property in St Osyth.

He was taken to hospital after a fight broke out in Colchester Road at around 12.55am on Sunday.

Officers arrived at the scene of the brawl after receiving reports a man had armed himself with a baseball bat after he was assaulted.

The group dispersed when the police arrived.

Officers then received information concerning the stabbing of the teenage boy.

His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

A spokesman said: “We attended the scene and the group left the area.

“We then received information that a 16-year-old had suffered a stab wound to the back during the fight.”

A 58-year-old man, from St Osyth, was arrested at around 5.50am on Sunday on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent.

He has now been released under investigation.

Det Sgt Phil Terry, of Clacton CID, said: “We believe that the group of people involved in the fight may have been at a party at a property in the area.

“During that fight, a teenager suffered a serious puncture wound to his back.

“We understand that other people who attended the party and people living close by may have filmed the incident.”

A spokesman for St Osyth Parish Council said villagers have been left concerned following the incident.

“There is a real and serious concern from residents as to what happened,” he said.

“We have contacted our PCSO to ask him to offer reassurances to residents.

“We reiterate what the police have asked, which is for people who may have been in the area at the time to come forward with any information.”

John White, Tendring councillor for St Osyth, said he feared a lower police presence in the village had led to heightened criminal activity.

He said: “I went to church on Sunday morning and was told Colchester Road was still locked off by the police. This is at around 9.30am.

“There were all sorts of rumours flying around about a stabbing.

“There was talk of someone walking up and down the street with a baseball bat.

“I am absolutely shocked about this, especially when the parish council had a meeting with the police six months ago, who said crime figures are still going down.

“When this sort of thing is happening in the street you have to take another look.

“As far as I am aware this is the first incident we have had involving a knife.”

Anyone with footage of the fight or any information can call Clacton CID on 101 quoting incident 57 of 17/02.