Man critical after four rushed to hospital following 'knife fight' on busy London high street - as seven arrested

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Emergency services were called to Bromley, south east London, just after 2pm on Thursday.

Four men were found with stab wounds. Three remain in hospital with non-life threatening injuries and one is in a critical condition.

The Met Police confirmed that seven men have been arrested and are in custody.

Online reports suggest a "knife fight" took place near KFC with some wielding machetes.

The high street is currently closed both ways from Ringers Road to Ethelbert Road. Parts of Elmfield Road and Ethelbert Road were also shut as of Thursday afternoon, and the Church House Gardens park was cordoned off.

Some 15 bus routes were diverted, including the 61, 208 and 119.

Police remain at the scene but there is not believed to be any wider threat to the public.

The London Ambulance Service sent ambulances, an advanced paramedic and London's Air Ambulance to the scene.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 2:19pm today (10 September) to reports of a stabbing on Bromley High Street, BR1.

“We sent ambulance crews, a paramedic in a fast response car, an incident response officer and an advanced paramedic. We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.

“We treated four patients at the scene and took them all to hospital”.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “At around 14:15hrs on Thursday, 10 September, officers were called to reports of an altercation on Bromley High Street.

“Officers attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance and found four men with stab wounds. 

"Three of them were taken to hospital where they are receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. One is in critical condition.

“Seven men were arrested and they all remain in custody.

"Police enquiries continue and there is not believed to be any wider threat to the public. “Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting CAD 4008/10SEP or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."

Peter Fortune, the MP for Bromley and Biggin Hill, has said he is "aware" of the incident.

"I am aware of the incident on Bromley High Street this afternoon and I know that residents will have safety concerns. The police are in attendance and have made a number of arrests.

"I will remain in close contact with the police as they continue to investigate this incident.

Bromley Council have described the news coming from the town centre as "absolutely appalling".