Man, 70, pushed to ground and beaten for his camera during violent robbery in south London

The attack took place on leafy Oaks Road in Croydon, south London
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Detectives are hunting a pair of robbers who violently attacked a 70-year-old photographer in south London.

The victim was pushed to the ground and beaten up in broad daylight on Oaks Road, Croydon, on Monday August 17, the Metropolitan Police said.

He suffered bleeding, a bruised face and a damaged eye socket requiring long-term treatment.

Police said the man had attempted to hold on to his valuable equipment, including a high-end Nikon DSLR camera and accompanying lenses, during the attack.

Camera lenses of this type can sell for thousands of pounds apiece.

The victim had to be taken to hospital in an ambulance following the attack
PA

Officers are now appealing for witnesses to the attack, which took place around 5.04pm.

They are also calling for anyone who has been offered the chance to buy camera or lenses of this type from anyone other than a recognised dealer to contact the police.

A Met Police statement read: "Officers and the London Ambulance Service (LAS) attended. They found a 70-year-old man and established that he had been robbed of camera equipment by two males.

"During the robbery, the victim had struggled to hold on to his property and was pushed to the ground and beaten; he sustained serious facial injuries.

"He was taken to a south London hospital by the LAS. He suffered cuts and bruising to his face and damage to his eye socket which requires ongoing treatment.

"Officers conducted a search of the area and a crime scene was established.

"A record of the stolen property has been compiled and police are asking anyone who has been offered photographic equipment for sale by someone other than a retailer to contact police immediately."

The items stolen included a Nikon DSLR Pro D850 camera, a Nikon battery pack, two Nikon photographic lenses, and two Hoya digital filters.

Anyone with information, or anyone who can identify the men responsible, should call police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting reference Cad 5771/17Aug. To give information while remaining completely anonymous call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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