The Essex Police service is appealing for witnesses after a man was stabbed and sprayed with what is believed to have been CS gas on a forecourt in Ongar.

Officers were called by the ambulance service just after 4.50pm on Tuesday November 22 with reports a man had been stabbed on High Street in Ongar near the Tesco Express petrol station forecourt.

A 19-year old man was taken to hospital suffering facial injuries after being stabbed and sprayed with a gas. His injuries are not thought to be life changing or life threatening. The petrol station forecourt was closed while investigation continued

Essex Police said it believed a large number of people may have witnessed the attack. Witnesses who may have seen a group of four men wearing dark clothing heading on foot towards Love Lane from the petrol station, or anyone with other information, are asked to call Loughton CID on 101.