A man has been arrested following a robbery attempt which led to a dog being stabbed in the chest.

A 22-year-old from Loughton was arrested at 3am this morning at his home address on suspicion of an attempted robbery and attempted grievous bodily harm.

The victim was walking the dog on grassland next to Epping Forest College in Borders Lane, Debden, when he was approached by a man at 7pm on Wednesday.

The suspect then attempted to stab the victim with a kitchen knife, estmated to be up to seven inches long.

The victim was not injured but his dog, a Rottweiler, suffered a stab wound to the chest and was taken to a vet for treatment, where he remains in a stable condition.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of robbery, attempted GBH, attempted robbery and drug offences.

He remains in police custody.