A public fight involving a “meat cleaver” left a man in hospital with a serious head injury and “pools of blood” trailing up Kingsland High Street yesterday afternoon.

The drama erupted soon after 3pm yesterday near the junction with Boleyn Road, where the high street was busy with weekend shoppers.

Scotland Yard said the victim – aged in his 40s – was taken to hospital with a head wound believed to have been caused by a knife. His injuries are described as neither life-threatening nor life-changing.

Twitter user @dalstonisweird tweeted: “Oh dear – man with meat cleaver marching up Kingsland High Street, shouting. Lots of police.”

Benjamin Everest added: “Anyone know why there’s blood all over Kingsland High Street and loads of @MPSHackney etc all round my house?! What happened? Lots of police and bloody streets.”

A 32-year-old man was arrested near the scene on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, police said, and was this morning being held at an east London police station.