Two teenage girls are believed to have filmed a brutal attack outside a supermarket in Brighton on their mobile phones.
Detectives are urging the pair to come forward to provide vital evidence to help their investigation.
A 49-year-old has spent a week in hospital since the attack outside a branch of Aldi a week ago. He was critically injured and remains in a serious condition.
Sussex Police said today (Friday 30 December): “Police are appealing for anyone with any footage of a serious assault in Brighton which has left a man critically injured.
“The victim remains in a serious but stable condition at Royal Sussex County Hospital following the incident in Ann Street at about 5.25pm on Friday 23 December.
“The 49-year-old, from Brighton, was involved in a verbal dispute with another man at Aldi, in London Road, shortly before the assault occurred.
“A number of witnesses have already come forward. However, police are keen to hear from anyone who has any footage of the attack.”
Detective Inspector Duncan Elliot said: “This assault resulted in the 49-year-old victim being in a serious condition in hospital for the last seven days and we’d like to hear from anyone who can assist with our inquiries.
“In particular, we would like to speak to two teenage girls, aged about 17 or 18, who are believed to have recorded the incident on their phones.
“One of the girls is believed to have long blonde hair and the other is believed to have been wearing checked trousers.
“They were seen to walk up Ann Street towards Sainsbury’s following the incident.
“Their footage could prove key in our investigation.”
Anyone with any information is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or report it online at https://sussex.police.uk/contact-us/response-to-appeal, quoting Operation Flamingo.
A 33-year-old man, from Brighton, was arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) without intent.
He has been bailed until Sunday 5 March while detectives carry out further inquiries.