A security guard was battered over the head with a pair of boltcutters by a shoplifter suspected of having stolen a sandwich and a packet of crisps in Bradford city centre.

Kevin Young, who celebrates his 29th birthday in a week, was trying to detain the man after chasing him from the store where he works, when the man lashed out with the weapon.

Crowds of shoppers watched in horror as Mr Young slumped to the pavement in Bank Street as the suspect ran off.

The assailant was eventually arrested by police and Mr King was taken to hospital.

The drama happened yesterday lunchtime after the man allegedly stole the food items from the BHS store.

Mr Young chased him into the street, where he was joined by another security guard, Khawaja Mohammed Amer, who was working in a nearby shop.

Mr Amer, 32, said he also suffered injuries in the ensuing scuffle and that during the struggle Mr Young's head was banged against a wall.

Mr Young was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary where his head injuries were checked over.

A colleague who went with him to hospital said he was taken for X-rays.

Gladys Davis, who works in the accounts department at the Telegraph & Argus, told how she spent 20 minutes helping Mr King after seeing the attack.

Gladys, who is trained in first aid, said: "I put him in the recovery position and kept him talking because he was slipping in and out of consciousness.

"He wasn't bleeding but it was clear he was going to have a mass of bruising on the crown of his head. I stayed with him until the ambulance came.

"I was frightened to leave him in case he went to sleep."

A spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police confirmed they were called to a report of a man having allegedly stolen items from a shop on Broadway and security guards had chased and detained him.

She said: "A struggle ensued during which a number of other men also became involved and during the tussle one of the security guards suffered a head injury.

"He was taken to BRI where he is receiving treatment."

She added that a 21-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of theft and two men, aged 20 and 19, for public order offences. All three were in custody.