A man has been arrested after a stabbing incident in Nando’s restaurant, The Brewery shopping centre, Romford yesterday.

The victim was taken to hospital by air ambulance and the shopping centre was closed until this morning and cordoned off by police.

Jessie Benchrifa, 29, of Hood Road, Rainham, saw the victim propped up against a photobooth.

“He looked like just a kid,” she said. “He was black, wearing a white T-shirt, and blue jeans.

“It was awful, especially at that time in the afternoon. He was laying there unconscious, he wasn’t awake or talking to anyone.

“There was a girl next to him trying to talk to him and there were lots of paramedics there and blood on his shirt.”

Air ambulance crews landed on top of the centre’s car park before treating the victim.

Tributes across social media flooded in for the victim.

@RobynWallace_ posted on Twitter that she saw the victim lying on the floor: “Boy laying stabbed in the Brewery in Romford. So so scary that it even happens in broad daylight. Hope he’s ok.”

@jjjjessyj said: “Disgusting, hope the poor guy is okay”

@CaptainNickFury tweeted: “Tragic it happened in Romford as the brewery was such a safe place to go to. Hope the man not seriously injured.”

Havering police are asking for witnesses to call 101.