Police condemn street fight

From the Echo, first published Tuesday 14th Oct 2003.

POLICE reinforcements were called when violence flared in the centre of Bridport following the football match between England and Turkey.

Up to 15 officers, including eight specially trained in public order offences from Weymouth, attended the incident outside the Royal Oak public house in West Street.

Head of Bridport police Inspector Alan Jenkins said police were called to deal with a large disturbance in the street during the early hours of Sunday morning, following what appeared to be an altercation that had taken place inside.

"Due to the volatile nature of the crowd and the large numbers, police were unable to effect an arrest at the time because of concerns for their own safety and that of the public," he said, adding that attempts by officers to control the crowd met with an angry reaction.

Two men were later arrested at the scene for public order offences. CCTV helped the police to identify those thought to be responsible and assisted in monitoring the situation and the officers' safety.

Shortly afterwards, the police then had to deal with a fight at West Bay where a man suffered minor head injuries.

"When police got to the scene, the disturbance seemed to pass off quietly," Insp Jenkins said, adding that there had been other minor public order incidents.

He said the incident outside the pub had been potentially very serious.

"This raises further concerns about the appropriateness of having late night drinking establishments in the town centre which, of course, the police vigorously opposed at the time the extension was granted," he said.

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