POLICE are treating a stabbing in Aveley over the weekend as attempted murder, and now want to talk to a man called Samuel Jackson from East Tilbury.

A local man, aged in his 20s, was found to have a number of stab wounds after police were called to High Street shortly before 3pm on Saturday, January 17, after reports of an altercation between two men at the Crown and Anchor pub.

He is still receiving treatment in hospital murder and extensive searches are being carried out to find the man responsible.

Investigating officers now want to talk to Samuel Jackson, aged 24, whose last known address was in East Tilbury.

He is 6ft 2in tall, of proportionate build and has shown brown hair and blue eyes. He has a scar on his forehead, a tattoo of the word Mum on his left bicep, a tattoo of the word Pac on his right bicep, and a tattoo of the phrase R.I.P Ozone on his inner right wrist.

He is known to visit or have contacts in South Ockendon, Aveley, Purfleet and East Tilbury.

Anyone with information should contact detectives at Grays CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or report information at the Crimestoppers website.