A 20-YEAR-OLD man has suffered "life-changing" injuries after being stabbed in the stomach and suffering from a serious eye injury.

The incident, which happened around 4am on Saturday morning, was in Lucy Road, in Southend.

The victim suffered a minor stab wound to the stomach and a serious eye injury.

The man remains in a stable condition with life-changing but not life-threatening injuries.

The suspects, a group of four men, made off following the incident and are believed to have headed in the direction of Herbert Grove.

Det Sgt Nick Brunton of Southend CID said: "We would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed this incident. Lucy Road would have been busy at the time with people beginning to head home from their evening out.

"If you witnessed this incident please contact us, equally you have mobile phone footage we would like to hear from you."

A man, who asked not to be named, saw the scene unfold.

He said: “I saw it happen, it was away from all the clubs and in the car park.

“I don’t think anyone saw a knife or any weapons, just the aggressor swinging punches at the victim which is how he must have got the eye injury.

“The victim definitely knew his aggressor, that was clear.

“The doormen from the clubs went over to the car park to give the victim first aid until the ambulances arrived, making sure he was alright.”

Mark Flewitt, councillor responsible for public protection, said he hoped CCTV in the area would play a part in catching the culprit.

He said: “I would be hopeful that there is CCTV evidence around. I am certain that the police will liaise with the council and clubs in the area for evidence that can be used. It will help enormously to bang to rights the perpetrators.

“Stabbings in the country, not just the borough, are becoming too frequent and it is disproportionate to whatever the issue is.

“There is no excuse for it and it is a matter for the police. But for the town, it is deeply disappointing as we are trying to run a safe night-time economy.”

A spokesman for the police said: “Officers were contacted at just after 4am on Saturday February 25 following reports of an altercation in Lucy Road.

“Officers attended the scene and enquiries remain ongoing.” 

Witnesses can contact officers at Southend CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.