POLICE are investigating two more knife gang attacks on young boys, both in broad daylight.

A boy, 12, was walking down High Road, Laindon, with a group of friends when he was approached by a gang of teenagers who threatened him with a knife.

The incident happened at Saturday lunchtime and police are urging witnesses to get in touch with them straight away.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We are investigating following this nasty incident.

“It was reported the victim, a 12 year-old boy, was with friends when he was approached by a teenager in High Road at about 1pm on Saturday, March 23 who then threatened him with a knife.”

This was the second incident of a young boy being targeted in the Laindon area.

On the same day, a man reported how his 14-year-old brother had been targeted by a gang with a knife.

They punched him in the face before he was able to get away and run off.

In a warning shared on social media, he said: “My younger brother was threatened with a knife and punched in the face by five white males aged between 13 and 14 years old at Laindon train station, and then an hour or so later was chased by them again at the underpass by Lidl on his way home.

“This has been reported to the police and is just a warning to everyone to tell your kids to avoid these areas and, of course, if you have any trouble report it to the police immediately.

“Have seen similar posts like this recently and soon someone will be seriously hurt because some little kid left the house with his mum’s kitchen knife.” It is not known if the two incidents are linked.

A police spokesman said: “If you saw or heard anything, have any CCTV or dash cam footage or have any other information please call us on 101 quoting the crime reference number 42/45671/19.”

Alternatively you can contact independent crimefighting charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111 - or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information