A MASS brawl involving more than “50 people” erupted in the streets of Worcester city centre, as drunken bank holiday revellers fought with police.

The alcohol-fuelled brawl erupted outside the McDonald’s store in the Foregate, Worcester, in the early hours of yesterday.

Police dog handlers were called in and four people were arrested at the scene.

The brawl was sparked by police officers speaking to an individual about being too drunk, before chaos ensued and people unconnected to the person “decided they wanted to fight the police”.

Officers from the Operation Patrol Unit, Central Motorway Police Group and police dog handlers were called to the scene around 4am to try to calm the situation.

Many of the police officers were assaulted, with several sustaining minor injuries.

Detective Deborah Sanders, of West Mercia Police, said: “This incident started out with a relatively minor case, as a man was being spoken to about being too drunk and committing anti-social behaviour by officers.

“Unfortunately, when people have had too much to drink they don’t know how to conduct themselves. When other people started to notice something occurring with the police and the man officers were speaking to, they decided they wanted to fight the police.

“This was a serious incident of disorder which at its peak involved what we believe to be in excess of 50 people. A number of our officers were assaulted, with several sustaining minor injuries.

“As for why more and more people decided to join in the commotion and fight the police officers, it is believed it is purely alcohol fuelled at this time, as a lot of the people who were involved were not connected to the man who sparked it. They have simply seen it, and decided to join in themselves.

“There were a lot of people out that night, and rather than just enjoy their night, unfortunately, for some reason, this group of people have chosen to join in.”

Four men, aged between 18 and 31 years old, all from the South Worcestershire area, were arrested at the scene, which happened in the early hours of Monday, August 25, and were taken to Worcester Police Station.

The police force is now launching an appeal to the public for information, and say those responsible will be “brought to justice.”

Inspector Sanders said: “We are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have captured footage of it on their mobile phone. We will be carrying out an investigation, including an analysis of CCTV and other video footage, and more arrests may be made.

“Fortunately, this level of disorder is very rare and when it does occur it is important that it is fully investigated and those responsible are brought to justice.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 0089s of Monday 25 August 2014.

Witnesses can also speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

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