Four teenagers have been arrested after a 12-year-old boy was stabbed in the back in Essex. The boy was flown by air ambulance from Pitsea to the Royal London hospital, where his condition was described as serious but not life-threatening. Essex police and the East of England ambulance service (EEAS) were called to an address in Pitsea shortly before 2pm. Officers arrested three boys and a girl, all aged 14, on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. They remain in custody for questioning. DI 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.” Eastbrook acknowledged the incident was concerning for the town’s residents and urged any witnesses to come forward. “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,” he said.