A MAN has been left with life-threatening injuries after he was attacked in a town centre at the weekend.

The 27-year-old man is critical in hospital with a bleed in his head, after being punched in Hitchin in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The victim, from Letchworth GC, was alone in the High Street about 2.20am on Sunday when he was called names and punched to the head.

He fell to the floor as a result, and is now under specialist care at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

His condition has been described as critical but stable.

Detective Inspector Fraser Wylie, from the Hitchin local crime unit, said: “The victim has taken a turn for the worse since the assault took place, causing him to be rushed to hospital to receive an emergency operation and specialist care.”

The assault happened near Nero coffee shop and Barclays Bank, with paramedics and police at the scene shortly afterwards.

“We believe there were a number of people who were in the area when it happened. We believe the offender was part of a large group of young men and women,” added DI Wylie.

“It was also close to the taxi rank where there were a number of taxis parked up and we are conducting enquiries with local taxi companies, however if you were in the area and saw what happened I’d urge you to call me as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the local crime unit in Hitchin via the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference number G1/13/51.