A 22-YEAR-OLD man is in a critical condition in hospital following an assault outside a cinema last night (October 31).

The man was left with head injuries outside the Empire cinema in High Street, Bromley, at around 11.40pm after spending the evening drinking at the nearby Swan and Mitre pub.

Paramedics took the victim to hospital and this afternoon (November 1) Bromley police described his injuries as "life threatening".

Bromley CID are investigating the assault and are appealing for witnesses.

Detective Inspector Jane Corrigan said: "We are particularly keen on speaking to a man and a woman we understand were assaulted in this pub prior to our victim leaving.

"These two people we believe are significant witnesses and would urge them to contact us.

"We are also keen to hear from anyone that was in or around the town centre of Saturday night that may have seen our victim or the actual assault."

Market Square and High Street - from the junction of East Street through to Beckenham Lane - was still behind a police cordon this afternoon.

The pedestrianised section of High Street and Market Sqaure remained open to the public.

Traffic was being diverted down Beckenham Lane and East Street and motorists are facing lengthy queues.

Blue and red police tape was still in place at 3.30pm this afternoon, with PCSOs manning the cordon unable to say when it was likely to be lifted.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information should call Bromley CID on 020 8284 8754 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

  • Two men aged 24 have been arrested in connection with the attack, along with two other men aged 19 and 36.