28 Apr Southend men suffer deep cuts after attack by 10 strong gang
TWO men suffered deep gashes to their arms and hands after a gang of yobs smashed their car windows with a crowbar when they witnessed a suspected burglary.
A 21-year-old man, from Southend, was locking up an industrial unit in Stock Road, Southend, when he saw a group of about 10 men wearing hoodies nearby.
The gang, who were thought to be breaking into a nearby unit, noticed the man and chased him into his Ford Focus, where a 26-year-old man was already sat in his driver’s seat waiting.
Before the pair had a chance to drive off, the gang began smashing the car’s windows and windscreens with a crowbar.
One of the members of the group then pulled open the passenger side door and tried to pull the 21-year-old out of the car.
Fortunately, the victim managed to break free and the driver sped off.
The pair then went to Southend Hospital for treatment to cuts and slashes to their arms.
The members of the gang are all thought to be black men in their mid 20s and were using a white Transit van.
Police are treating the attack, which took place at 1am last Friday as assault causing actual bodily harm.
Chief Insp Simon Anslow, district commander for Southend, said: “The victims were hit from falling glass which caused cuts and gashes to their body.
“The 21-year-old was left with a large hole in his right leg.
“Three windows were smashed, as well as the back windscreen, and a hole was left in the front windscreen where it had been hit with a crowbar.
“This was a particularly nasty attack late at night, which has left the men understandably very shaken up.
“Although it was late at night and in a secluded area, I would urge anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious at that time to come forward.
“I would be particularly interested to know if anyone saw a white Transit van in the area near to the time of the attack.”
Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
