ESSEX Police are appealing for witnesses following an attempted robbery in Harlow where a man was stabbed.

The victim, a man in his 20s, was walking along the cycle path between Kings Land and Third Avenue with his girlfriend at around 4.30pm yesterday (Wednesday, October 19) when two men in masks approached them.

The men, who were armed with a knife, demanded his phone.

He refused and was stabbed in the buttock.

He suffered a minor hospital and went to hospital for treatment.

The first suspect is described as white, 6ft tall, of slim build and wearing a zombie Halloween mask, a grey and blue Adidas hoody and dark jeans.

The second suspect is described as mixed race, of slim build, 6ft tall and wearing a Frankenstein Halloween mask, a black Nike jacket, and black Nike jogging bottoms.

They were seen running off towards Third Avenue.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Dc James Smith at Harlow Police Station on 101.

People can also give information to the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via an anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.