A man is in critical condition following a serious assault outside Sainsbury’s on Upper Elmers End Road in Beckenham. The incident took place around 8:25pm on Sunday evening, drawing a large emergency services response near Eden Park station.

The 43-year-old victim suffered severe head injuries and was treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service before being taken to a major trauma centre. Police have confirmed his condition as life-threatening.

A 29-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and remains in custody. Officers believe this was a random attack following an altercation, with no weapon reportedly involved. The Metropolitan Police have stated they are not seeking any other suspects at this time.

The area around the supermarket remains cordoned off while investigations continue. Local MP Liam Conlon described the attack as shocking and praised the swift response of police in detaining the suspect.

Nearby businesses have expressed growing concerns about rising crime in the area. One long-standing local business owner stated, “Crime has increased here for years. We see theft and antisocial behaviour regularly.”

Sainsbury’s confirmed the store is temporarily closed as they assist police with enquiries. They emphasised that the incident did not involve any of their staff.