Gangs clash in street battle (From Oxford Mail)

Gangs clash in street battle

7:22pm Monday 6th July 2009 in

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A brawl in an East Oxford street after two major community events on Sunday has sparked a police investigation.

Dozens of teenagers clashed in Cowley Road and nearby streets shortly after the Cowley Road Fringe Festival and the Carnival in the Park.

Both events had been enjoyed by thousands of people, without any major problems reported.

However, one East Oxford resident – who shot a video of the incident which can be seen online at oxfordmail.co.uk – said hundreds of teenagers were involved in clashes on the streets at about 7.45pm.

The man, who did not want to be named, filmed part of the incident from Cowley Road, opposite James Street.

He said: “There were about 300 or 400 kids, about 14 or 15 years old – it was huge.

“I heard somebody shout ‘we’re going to kill you...’ and then swarms of kids ran down the road by Blockbuster.

“I was trying to get some footage but an older Asian man said it was probably best I got out of there.

“As I started to walk away, about four, five or six police cars came down the road.

“I spoke to one lad who said it had been planned for months and they do it once a year.

“You could tell it was definitely organised.

“One kid had cuts, really long cuts, across his face and was covered in blood. He was being attacked with an umbrella.”

The witness, who lives off Cowley Road, believed the clashes had started in South Park before the trouble spread towards the Cowley Road area.

He said: “I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.”

The part of the incident captured on video occurred close to one of the new CCTV cameras positioned on Cowley Road, on the corner of Princes Street.

The manager of the nearby Corridor pub, who declined to be named, said: “We had a very good, family-friendly day, and no-one saw this incident, but I hope that after spending thousands of pounds on CCTV cameras they can be used to identify the troublemakers.”

Thames Valley Police said that no arrests were made at the scene.

Oxford police commander Supt Andy Murray said: “We were pleased the carnival went off well and there were not any issues within the site itself, which was very well managed.

“We’re aware there was an incident that took place away from the site involving a group of youths.

“It’s unfortunate that they used this event – which was designed to build up relations between the various sections of the community – to act in this way.

“However, officers acted quickly and dealt with the incident robustly and as far as we are aware no members of the public or officers were injured.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward to help them witrh their investigation.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact police on 08458 505505 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.