AN Essex football club is helping police investigate an incident in its stadium car park which saw a man shot with a crossbow.Braintree Town Football Club has been co-operating with detectives who are looking into the circumstances surrounding an assault in the town in which a man was hit with a bolt.

AN Essex football club is helping police investigate an incident in its stadium car park which saw a man shot with a crossbow.

Braintree Town Football Club has been co-operating with detectives who are looking into the circumstances surrounding an assault in the town in which a man was hit with a bolt.

Police were contacted shortly before 10pm on Tuesday night by a member of the public who said a man had been shot in the club's car park.

Officers arrived to find the injured man with a bolt in the side of his torso.

The 25-year-old man from Ware, in Hertfordshire, was conveyed to Chelmsford's Broomfield Hospital where he underwent surgery to remove the bolt.

He is currently in a stable condition.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We're keen to speak with anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the football club's car park between 7pm and 10pm on Tuesday night.”

Investigating officers believe the assailant drove off in a dark-coloured Audi. At this stage, there are no further details about those in the car.

Anyone with information in connection with this attack is urged to contact detectives at Braintree police station on 0300 333 4444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.