Stabbing in Essex prompts extra 'stop and search' powers for police

Police in Clacton have been given extra stop and search powers after a man was stabbed.

The victim, who was in his 30s, was approached by four men as he walked along an alleyway in Lodge Close just before 8pm on Saturday 14 December.

One pulled out a knife and stabbed him before the group stole his bike.

Essex Police said they had received a number of reports of knives and other weapons being seen in Clacton over the last week.

As a result, a Section 60 Authority had been granted to allow uniformed officers to stop and search anyone they think could be carrying a weapon even without "reasonable grounds for suspicion".

The order came into force at 11pm on Saturday and lasts until 11pm Sunday (December 15). It covers areas including parts of Marine Parade East and West, Beatrice Road, Alton Park Road, Ford Road, Old Road and Oxford Road.