Mass street brawl
7:19am Monday 4th August 2008
WARRING families wreaked havoc when they went on the rampage in a Southampton estate.
The two groups of people burst into the road in the middle of the afternoon, armed with crossbows, baseball bats and planks of wood.
Men and women of all ages, including teens and people in their 60s, were involved in the mass brawl which broke out on Bassett's Flowers Estate on Saturday afternoon.
Residents watched on in horror from inside and outside their homes in Violet Road as the fight, which lasted about half and hour, escalated.
At one point the crossbow was fired and the metal bolt was shot into a car parked in the street.
Others were battered about their heads and bodies with the wood and bats, leaving three people in need of hospital treatment.
Women, thought to include mothers and girlfriends of those fighting, were seen running, shouting and screaming as the violence continued.
Police were called to the fracas shortly after 3pm and it is understood paramedics arrived to take the injured parties to Southampton General Hospital.
One man suffered abdominal injuries after being hit with the plank of wood while a second was treated for a gash to his head.
A third person was also taken to hospital with cuts and bruises.
Detectives are today continuing to investigate the violence which is thought to have involved up to 15 people.
Three men in their early 20s have been arrested and were last night being spoken to by police.
Detective Sergeant Dave Jackson, from Bitterne CID, said: "This was a serious violent disorder that happened in the middle of the street, in full view of the public.
"Violence of any nature within a community is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We know that this incident was witnessed by many people who either live in or where in Violet Road on Saturday afternoon and I would urge them to come forward."
Anyone with information is asked to call 0845 045 4545 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.