People have expressed concerns over a perceived lack of police patrols following the stabbing of a man in Epping.

The 31-year-old, from east London, was knifed in the chest and found collapsed in High Road at just after 4am on September 6.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and bailed until October 22.

Today the Guardian took to the streets gauge reaction to the attack and the police response.

Sean Whitbread, 65, of Elite Cars in Epping, said: "There are not enough police in sight. You just can't ever see them.

"The amount of officers on the street needs changing. One minute they are there, the next they're gone.

"They are not there when people are leaving the clubs either, that's what is needed."

Pamela Stanford, 75, of Cottis Lane, said: "As the area is, we need police. It's not ordinary behaviour.

"That poor man who got stabbed. I didn't know if he was OK or not at first. There is good and bad in everyone, but we need more police on the streets to separate the bad and keep us safe."

Epping Forest councillor Richard Morgan said: "I live in a rural area and we used to have community police officers around but not anymore. 

"We need more officers on the streets, in a meeting the other day we were speaking to officers about what to do.

"We just don't have many out there at the moment."

Barbara Chesnay, 54, of High Road, said: "In view of what happened recently, with the stabbing, it is quite clear that an increased police force is needed.

"It's not nice. They need more officers out on the streets."

John Stanford, 74, of Cottis Lane, said: "The police need to increase their patrolling officers.

"There are clubs and bars around here that open late. Officers need to be around and carry out regular searches. 

"If someone goes out with a weapon, they are going out with the intention to use it. We need more police on the streets."

Epping Forest Neighbourhood Watch member, Ian Roberts, 76, said: "The police station in Epping isn’t open until around 12pm, so there is nowhere to go until then.

“We never see police around at all anymore.

“I understand that there may have been cuts in funding and staff and they may have a problem but I would like to see more about.”

Essex Police have been contacted for comment.