A 52 year old man suffered catastrophic head injuries in a suspected attempted murder at Hackney’s Ridley Road Market

Hackney’s vibrant Ridley Road Market turned into a crime scene on Wednesday morning after a brutal assault left a 52-year-old man critically injured and fighting for his life.

Just after 7.15am, as traders set up for the day and early shoppers trickled in, chaos erupted on the Dalston Kingsland side of the market. The victim was found sprawled on the pavement with devastating head injuries, the result of a suspected violent altercation. Emergency services responded with urgency—multiple paramedics and a trauma team from London’s Air Ambulance raced to the scene in a desperate attempt to stabilise the man. He was rushed to a major trauma centre in critical condition.

Police acted swiftly. Within hours, two men—aged 32 and 36—were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Both remain in custody as detectives piece together what led to the shocking act of violence in one of East London’s busiest marketplaces.

The normally bustling stalls of Ridley Road were subdued as officers erected a cordon and launched a detailed forensic sweep. Bloodstains and scattered produce marked the area where the incident unfolded, a grim reminder of the sudden burst of violence that shocked passers-by and long-time traders alike.

“It’s terrifying,” said one stallholder, still visibly shaken. “You come here to earn an honest living. No one expects to see someone almost killed right in front of you before breakfast.”

Locals described the market, renowned for its mix of Afro-Caribbean produce, street food, and community spirit, as a usually safe space. The attack, they said, shattered that perception. “I’ve shopped here for 20 years,” said one Dalston resident. “This is heartbreaking—it feels like things are spiralling out of control.”

Police have yet to confirm the motive or whether the suspects knew the victim, but the severity of the injuries and the rapid arrests suggest this was no random scuffle. Officers continue to appeal for witnesses, urging anyone in the area at the time—or anyone with mobile phone or dashcam footage—to come forward.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “This was a serious and violent incident which has left a man in hospital with life-threatening injuries. Two suspects have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and are currently being questioned. We urge anyone with information to contact us as soon as possible.”

The incident has reignited concerns about public safety in London. Residents say violence in the capital seems to be creeping further into everyday spaces—from parks to schools, and now even markets.

“We need to feel safe in our communities,” said a local councillor. “It’s not enough to just react after the fact. We need proactive policing, community outreach, and mental health services before more lives are ruined.”

As investigators continue their search for answers, the market community remains in limbo—traders left wondering if their workplace might become a battleground again.

For now, one man clings to life in a hospital bed. Two others sit in custody. And an entire neighbourhood waits—anxious, angry, and desperate for justice.