A 12-year-old boy has been airlifted to a London hospital after being stabbed in Essex.
Four teenagers were arrested shortly after the assault, which took place in Pitsea on Monday afternoon.
The child was found with a knife wound to his back and was flown to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.
His injury is described as serious but not life-threatening.
A girl and three boys, all aged 14, were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.
They remain in custody for questioning, Essex police said in a statement.
Detective Inspector Stewart Eastbrook said: “This was a nasty incident on a young boy and our officers were on scene quickly to carry out enquiries and a search of the area.
“We are continuing to piece together information to establish the circumstances behind the incident and we believe those involved are known to each other.
“Officers remain in the area speaking to witnesses and gathering information to help with our investigation, and we’d like to thank members of the public who have spoken to us already.
“There were a number of people in the area at the time and we’d like to speak to anyone who saw what happened or has any mobile phone or CCTV footage that could help us with our enquiries.
“I know this incident is very concerning for local residents and I would ask anyone with concerns or information to please speak to officers who are at the scene and on patrol in the area.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Basildon CID on 101 quoting incident 591 of August 24.
