A teenager was left with serious head injuries after being attacked in an alleyway just off a south London high street.
The victim, aged 18, was discovered when shoppers alerted a patrolling community support officer (PCSO) to a fight breaking out across the road in High Street, Penge.
The man was rushed to hospital with a serious head injury after being discovered after 4.45pm on Wednesday.
His attackers managed to flee the scene, busy with shoppers, before police arrived.
A Met spokesman said: “The PCSO attended and found an 18-year-old man suffering from a serious head injury. Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended shortly afterwards.
“The victim was taken to hospital. We await an update on his condition.
“No arrests have been made. Enquiries continue.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 5024/22FEB.