Victim floored with bat in Telford street attack
A man in his 20s suffered a head injury when he was attacked from behind with a baseball bat in a row thought to be linked to a snowball fight.
The victim, who has not been named, was floored by the bat and was then struck again while he was on the floor outside Barclays Bank in the early hours of Saturday in Market Street, Oakengates.
He was taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital with a head injury but police said his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.
Officers cordoned off a large section of Market Street, Chapel Street and the alley leading up to The Place theatre. About 10 businesses were unable to open because of the cordon, including Barclays, Severn Hospice, Jhoots Pharmacy, The Chop Shop, Coral and Premier Re-Codes.
Police said today the attack may have been linked to an earlier snowball-throwing incident.
Detective Sergeant Richard Roberts, of Telford CID, said: "We apologise for the disruption our inquiries caused, but forensic investigations needed to be carried out.
"We need to appeal for anyone who was in Market Street between 2am and 2.30am and witnessed the disturbance to contact the police.
"Detectives believe the assault may be connected to another incident in Market Street shortly before the assault, in the area of the Juke Box nightclub. Two men, one in a dark tracksuit and the other in a light tracksuit, were throwing snowballs at people and it is thought the same man was initially assaulted, along with a woman."
He added: "Many people were in the area during both of these assaults and we need to speak to anyone who witnessed either disturbance."
Those shops which were able to open found business slow. Holly Morris, owner of Just Jackie Florists, said: "It was a big shock to arrive and see all this. It's not something you want to see.
Sharon Duncan, of Power Point, said: "It doesn't do any good for business."
West Mercia Police can be contacted on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
