A CRICKETER who was viciously beaten while trying to film evidence of anti-social behaviour says he now fears leaving his house.

The man, aged 51, had hoped to get footage of youths speeding on motocross bikes near to his house, off Juniper Way, Colchester, after he was involved in a near miss.

But when he started filming, he says he was attacked “from nowhere” and was punched to the face.

As he tried to flee the scene, the dazed victim fell over and sustained serious fractures to his arm.

The victim, who asked not to be named for fear of further attacks, said: “I’ve been around and I’ve been through security courses which teach you to look for very slight movements in the lead up to a punch being thrown.

“But I didn’t even get that here. It felt like that guy was a boxer.

“It was the hardest punch I’ve seen outside of the boxing ring and I didn’t see it coming.”

After the attack and subsequent fall, last Wednesday, the victim was treated at Colchester General Hospital, where he said staff were "absolutely fantastic".

The man, who plays cricket in Colchester, has been told the fractures in his arm are so severe, he can never play the sport again.

He added: “It’s a life-changing injury. I love playing the game.

“I’m not a great bowler but I can bat a bit and I’m really good around the field and the doctor told me if I play again, I’ll be back with him for another operation.”

The man said he will now train as an umpire so he can still be part of the sport.

He is speaking publicly on the attack after an eye-witness told the Gazette he was “flabbergasted” at the lack of a police response to the incident despite it being reported straight away.

The victim said: “I didn’t even know there had been a witness until I read the newspaper.

"It beggars belief. I was the victim and it was a really serious assault and no-one came out. I’ve had an email from the police, that’s it.

“I really think if the police don’t get their act together, people will start vigilante groups of their own and take things into their own hands.

“My partner is disabled and she relies on me for everything and I just can’t do what she needs me to do.

“She’s scared of me going out now because I came back absolutely covered in blood.

“I’m looking over my shoulder every time I go out - I don’t feel safe.”

An Essex Police spokesman said the victim has been spoken to an inquiries are ongoing.