ESSEX Police have issued a new statement and played down the role of a Basildon pub in a recent unsavory incident.

Earlier this month police issued an appeal for information following an incident which they said happened at the Jolly Friar pub on Saturday, 13 August.

However, this evening (Saturday, 20 August) a further statement was issued which reads: "On 14 August, we issued an appeal as part of an investigation into an assault which took place at a pub in Basildon

"The investigation remains ongoing, but we are now satisfied that the incident did not take place in the Jolly Friar pub.

"We are still looking to determine where the assault did happen and contine to appeal to the public for their help with this investigation. We were called to Whitmore Way at around 10:20pm following reports of an incident where a man was left injured. A man was taken to hospital with serious facial injuries.

"We would urge anyone with information about the incident, dash cam and doorbell footage of it or the moments leading up to it and after it, to please contact us as soon as possible.

"You can let us know by submitting a report on our website at www.essex.police.uk.

"Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our website reporting services. Alternatively, you can call us on 101. Please quote incident 1673 of August 13 in any correspondence."