A 29-YEAR-OLD was stabbed as he tried to break up a fight over the ownership of a bicycle.

A man, 42, was walking along High Road, Leytonstone, with two friends at 9pm on Tuesday (July 27) when he spotted a youngster riding what he believed to be his bike, which had been stolen from outside a friend's home in Leytonstone the night before.

He confronted the suspected thief, believed to be in his late teens, and an argument over the ownership of the bike ensued.

The rider then made a phone call and a gang of six young men quickly arrived on bicycles.

A mass brawl then broke out near the junction with Lancaster Road and the 42-year-old was punched in the face.

A 29-year-old man, who was passing by, tried to break up the fight and was stabbed in the stomach.

The gang then fled on bicycles towards an alleyway leading to Cobden Road.

The stab victim received first aid from police officers at the scene.

The injured men were then taken to Whipps Cross University Hospital.

The 29-year-old’s injuries are not believed to be life threatening and he is described as being in a stable condition.

The 42-year-old suffered a broken cheekbone and has since been discharged from hospital.

Police arrested a 21-year-old man close by and he was still being questioned at the time of going to press.

A local businesswoman, who asked not to be named, witnessed the aftermath of the incident.

The 55-year-old said: "The road was closed off all night long.

"I saw young hoodies ride off on bikes down the High Road, and then I saw the blue flashing lights from the police and ambulances.

"I saw a man put into the back of an ambulance on a trolley. He was sitting up so he must have been alright.

"We're used to this around here but you never see policeman on the streets.

“Almost every night something is going on. If it's not on the High Road, it's in the back streets.

"It's so horrendous. I've just had enough.”

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