Were you in or near Springbridge Road on Monday?
Police continue to appeal for witnesses following the serious assault of a man during violent disorder in Ealing on Monday night.
Detectives are also appealing for information regarding the identity of the injured man.
Officers were dealing with sustained violent disorder at around 22:45hrs on Monday 8 August on Springbridge Road, when they became aware of a man in his mid 40s-50s, being attacked.
Despite coming under fire from missiles, officers managed to reach the injured man to administer First Aid and ensure the safety of paramedics who attended.
The man was taken by ambulance to a west London hospital in a critical condition suffering from head injuries. He is currently in intensive care.
It is believed that the victim, who is white and in his mid 40's to early 50's, remonstrated with a group of teenagers who were seen setting fire to two industrial bins outside the Arcadia Shopping Centre.
The victim was assaulted and fell to the ground. The main suspect is described as a black male teenager [No further descriptions at this time].
The victim has brown eyes, mousey brown/slightly greying hair in a 'short back and sides' style. He has freckles to his arms and a tanned complexion. He was wearing a blue and yellow checked short sleeved shirt with a white vest underneath it, khaki colour shorts and brown leather shoes. He also had tubigrips on both feet. It is believed that the victim is from the local area.
Detectives from the MPS Homicide and Serious Crime Command are investigating.
Detective Chief Inspector John Mcfarlane said:
"I need the assistance of the community who may have witnessed the attack on this innocent man, to come forward and provide information or images they may have recorded on mobile devices. This information could be crucial in bringing those responsible for this terrible crime to justice. We are also desperate to trace the victim’s next of kin, given his critical condition, and we urge anyone who recognises the description given, to contact us.
“We now know that the victim was attempting to stamp out a fire set by the mob, when he was violently assaulted and knocked to the ground. Police officers who were under attack by the mob drove them away and pulled the victim to relative safety and rendered First Aid with the assistance of members of the public in an attempt to save his life. Again I urge these people to speak to us as they may have valuable information.
“Were you in Springbridge Road or close by in the vicinity of the Arcadia Centre when the attack occurred? Did you witness a group attacking police and looting? Do you have images of the events that took place?”
Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8721 4205; or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
10 August 2011