Man in critical condition after stabbing

Police say the attack happened at a time when the nearby park would have been busy

A man is in a critical condition in hospital after sustaining multiple wounds in a stabbing.

Essex Police said officers were called to Seymour Street, Chelmsford, close to the entrance of Central Park, at about 18:40 BST on Friday to reports of a man being seriously assaulted.

Emergency services, including an air ambulance, attended and the victim was taken to hospital, where he remains.

Police are treating the attack as an isolated incident. Inquiries are ongoing but no arrests have yet been made.

The attack took place in Seymour Street, Chelmsford, on Friday

Det Insp Guy Turnbull said: "This assault took place in daylight hours in the city centre, close to the park, which we believe was busy.

"We are hoping this means that someone may have seen something or have any CCTV or dashcam footage which could assist with the investigation."

He said police were looking to speak to three men in connection with the investigation.

One of the men is described as black, in his late teens or early 20s, wearing a grey tracksuit with a hood and a black jacket and white trainers with his hair in cornrows.

The second is described as black, in his late teens or early 20s, wearing a black tracksuit with a hood and black trainers.

The third is described as of mixed race, with afro-style hair separated to the side with thick eyebrows and of a slim build.

Police say he was wearing a light grey tracksuit and carrying a black bag, and believe he was riding a grey or silver bike which had a white and black pattern in the middle of the handlebars.

Det Insp Turnbull asked anyone who had seen the men or had any other information to contact police.