A traffic warden was beaten unconscious by a group of men after he photographed a vehicle parked on a double yellow line.

Witnesses say a female driver pulled up on the lines in Penfold Street, just off the Church Street markets, in Marylebone at 3.45pm on Saturday, July 28.

When the 40-year-old warden asked the woman to move, she became irate. Several men then pulled up in another car and rounded on him when he refused to hand over his camera.

Brian Whittaker, of Church Street, was phoned by a neighbour around the corner who described the attack as it unfolded.

“It was a bit of a nasty assault,” he said. “My neighbour was shouting at them and a couple of others were also shouting at them.”

The victim suffered severe cuts to his head.

Police say that three men were reported to have been involved in the attack but no arrests have yet been made.

Detectives are continuing to investigate the attack.

A spokesman for NSL, which runs Westminster Council’s parking service, said: “Violence against our staff, who perform an important public service, is utterly unacceptable.”

A council spokeswoman said: “The officer was taken to hospital but was able to be released the same day. He is now at home recovering from his injuries.”