POLICE are hunting a knifeman who is at large after stabbing a man near a housing estate in Colchester.

Officers were called to Mason Road at about 5.45pm on Wednesday after a man suffered a stab wound to his back near the Castellum Grange development.

The victim was taken by ambulance to Colchester Hospital for further treatment and assessment by paramedics.

The police later raided a property in Albany Gardens, Hythe, an hour later after acting on a witness report which linked a white Peugeot found at the address to the attack.

Gazette: Boxed in - police officers boxed in a car allegedly linked to the stabbingBoxed in - police officers boxed in a car allegedly linked to the stabbing (Image: Newsquest)

Gazette: Investigation - a police car outside the property in Albany GardensInvestigation - a police car outside the property in Albany Gardens (Image: Newsquest)

No arrests were made but clothing was taken from within the flat for forensic examination and the vehicle was seized.

The incident sparked a wide search across Colchester for three men believed to be involved in the stabbing.

Officers told the Gazette the suspects were covering their faces and had their hoods up, with two wearing black tracksuits and one in a grey outfit.

It is understood they chased the victim through an alleyway to the east of the housing estate in Mason Road before one member of the group stabbed him.

Gazette: Raid - a police officer inside the building in Albany Gardens before a flat was raidedRaid - a police officer inside the building in Albany Gardens before a flat was raided (Image: Newsquest)

Gazette: Terrifying - it is understood the victim was chased through this alleyway to the east of the housing estate in Mason RoadTerrifying - it is understood the victim was chased through this alleyway to the east of the housing estate in Mason Road (Image: Google)

Constables initially patrolled the Castellum Grange estate and the surrounding Mason Road and Cowdray Avenue area as they hunted the trio.

Further foot patrols were held in Castle Park and by car on the Greenstead estate before a vehicle allegedly linked to the incident was detected in Clingoe Hill.

Checks of the white Peugeot then led officers to an address in Albany Gardens.

PC Brad West told the Gazette: “The driver had gone to Brightlingsea and then headed back [to the property].

Gazette: Search - an officer probes the white Peugeot allegedly linked to the stabbingSearch - an officer probes the white Peugeot allegedly linked to the stabbing (Image: Newsquest)

“The car was picked up by ANPR in Clingoe Hill.

“We have done some digging on the vehicle and then linked it back to this address in Albany Gardens.”

Officers said they believed people involved in the stabbing were dropped off in Brightlingsea before the driver headed to Albany Gardens.

Anyone with information about the stabbing should contact the police by calling 101.