A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of assault following an incident which has left a man fighting for life in hospital.

Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team is now leading the probe over the incident in Boscombe on Thursday night.

Police received a report that a 67-year-old local man had been seriously assaulted by another man in Christchurch Road.

The victim fell to the ground and was knocked unconscious. Officers and the ambulance service attended and the injured man was taken to hospital, where he remains with life-threatening injuries.

It was reported that the alleged offender also assaulted another man, who sustained cuts and bruising.

A woman, who tried to intervene, was also pushed to the ground before the man left the scene on an electric scooter, police said.

Police maintained a cordon around a section of pavement in Christchurch Road on Friday morning.

Bournemouth Echo: Police cordon in Christchurch Road on Friday, July 1Police cordon in Christchurch Road on Friday, July 1

Providing an update on Saturday, July 2, a Dorset Police spokeswoman said a 31-year-old man from Bournemouth had been arrested on suspicion of assault and he remained in custody.

Detective Inspector Neil Third, of Dorset Police, said: “Our investigation has very much progressed and is now being conducted by the Major Crime Investigation Team.

“Even though an arrest has been made, I would like to renew our appeal for any witnesses to the incident who have not yet spoken with police to come forward.

“We are now aware that a man and a woman with a small child were in the area at the time and I would very much like to speak to them as they may have important information that could assist us.”

The police spokeswoman said there would still be an increased police presence in the area and anyone who had concerns should contact officers from the local neighbourhood policing team.

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk/contact, by emailing 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220104969.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.

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