A nine-year-old boy has been taken to hospital with injuries after he was attacked by a dog in Langdon Hills. 

Essex Police were called on Friday with reports that the boy had been walking his dog with his family at Langdon Hills recreation ground shortly before 7.30pm, when another dog approached them.

The dog was reported to have acted aggressively towards the family's dog before attacking the boy, when he tried to separate the two dogs.

The dog was described as a black Staffordshire Bull Terrier type dog with long legs. It didn't have a collar and was not accompanied by its owner.

A police spokesman said: "We are appealing for anyone who was in the area around the time and witnessed the attack, saw a dog matching this description in the area, or knows where the dog may have come from.

"We understand that this incident will cause concerns within the community, but officers are in the area searching for the dog and speaking to as many people as possible to find out if they have any information, which could help us with our investigation.

"If you have any information, please go to our website home page and select the 'Live Chat' button at the bottom right of the page.

"Here, between 7am-11pm, you will be able to provide information by speaking to one of our online operators to ensure your report is dealt with as quickly as possible."

Alternatively, submit an online report or call 101 with information, quoting reference 42/194565/20.