A MAN was assaulted in Southend after having a substance thrown in his face.

The victim was walking through Victoria Road, in Southend, at about 3am this morning when he was confronted by a group of people who, when he asked what they were doing, shouted abuse at him and threw a substance in his face.

The victim fell to floor and was subsequently assaulted by the group.

He suffered discomfort but there was no reddening.

Police and ambulance services were called and the victim was treated at the scene.

The substance was not corrosive and police are not treating the incident as an acid attack.

A police spokesman said: "We are investigating following an incident where a man was assaulted in Southend.

"We were called by the ambulance service shortly before 3am on Friday, January 4 to reports a man had had an unknown substance thrown in his face in Victoria Road.

"It was reported the victim was confronted by a group of people who, when he asked what they were doing, shouted abuse at him and threw a substance in his face."

Anyone with information, CCTV or dash cam footage should call police on 101 quoting incident 102 of January 4 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.