By Neil Trainis

Essex Police are investigating an alleged attack on a pharmacist in a GP surgery in Canvey Island.

The pharmacist, who was believed to be working in Hawkesbury Road Doctors Surgery on Hawkesbury Road but has not been named, is said to have been assaulted by a man who entered the premises and unleashed a barrage of punches in front of patients, according to a report in the Southend Echo.

The pharmacist sustained a bruised face and a cut lip during the attack. Essex Police are investigating the incident and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The Southend Echo said a doctor at the surgery told Dave Blackwell, the leader of Castle Point Council, about the incident.

“It was quite horrific and I am very shocked and gobsmacked about what happened. The man went into the surgery and went in the first door and started beating up the pharmacist,” Mr Blackwell told the newspaper.

He expressed his concern the attacker “could be dangerous and could be going around doing it at other surgeries too” and said the attack left staff at the surgery “shaken up and worried about who is coming through the door.”

“What is the world coming to when doctors are not safe? You don’t expect it to happen at your doctors surgery,” Mr Blackwell said.