A man has been punched and slashed at a restaurant in Grays.

A cordon was spotted outside the Mangal Meze restaurant in Grays town centre at around 6.30am this morning.

The restaurant's owner says his staff member was attacked but claims there was no knife used or any slash wounds. 

Police were called to an incident at 11.05pm last night after a 34-year-old man was attacked.

The 34-year-old victim was taken to hospital after the incident and police are now investigating the incident.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: “We are investigating an assault on a man in Grays.

“The 34-year-old victim reported being punched numerous times and slashed in the arm at Mangal Meze restaurant in High Street shortly after 11.05pm on Wednesday 13 November.

“He was taken to hospital, where his wounds were stitched.

“We’re continuing our enquiries and witnesses or anyone with information are asked to call Grays CID on 101 quoting reference 42/180951/19.

“Alternatively, contact the Crimestoppers charity 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org.”

However, Nehat Damer, 40 restaurant owner said there was no knife used in the incident or no slash wound suffered by the vicitm.

He said: "We were just about to close up and a man came in asking for food.

"We prepared the food and he sat down and ate it and then attacked my staff member for no reason at all.

"There was no knife used in the incident and no slash wound and nobody was stabbed during the incident.

"My worker is in hospital and is doing ok. We are all so shocked about this and isn't the sort of thing you want going on in your businesses."