A man has been seriously injured after being attacked in an alleged convenience store theft.

A suspect has been arrested after emergency services were called to Snargate Street in Dover.

The victim was found with head injuries after police officers attended following reports of the suspected assault.

He was taken to a London hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

A short while later, officers arrested a man on suspicion of assault, theft and criminal damage.

The 34-year-old from Northamptonshire has been released on bail pending further inquiries.

The door of Thenu Convenience Store has been boarded up following the attack at about 9pm on Saturday.

The shop is believed to have been open for around a year, having replaced the Old Exchange.

Flowers have been placed behind a sign in front of the door.

Reports suggested a man had been attacked with a metal bar but this has not been confirmed by police.

Jesse Mannall, a worker at the Sharp and Enright ships chandlers and general merchants, told KentOnline she had been driving past Snargate Street that night and “saw a lot of police cars”.

"It was all going on then and It did make me think somebody had been attacked,” she said.

"It is a shock because it is not one of those things that usually happens around here."

Fellow worker Mark Williams said: "I have worked here for eight years and I have always felt it is a safe area. It is very sad that this has happened."

Robin Burkhardt, owner of The Old Curiosity Shop antique dealers, said: "From my experience, this is a safe area and I have not had problems personally. As a rule, it is a pleasant street.”

A shopkeeper who did not want to be named said: "What has happened is disgusting. It feels safe here during the day but it may be a different story in the evening when people have a bit of alcohol in them.”