Men armed with crossbow and knives fight outside pub (From Oxford Mail)

Men armed with crossbow and knives fight outside pub

10:00am Thursday 20th September 2012 in Oxford

A GROUP of men believed to be armed with knives, a stick and a crossbow were involved in a fight in Littlemore.

Concerned members of the public called police to report a group of up to 15 people fighting outside The George pub in Sandford Road.

Police sent up to five patrol cars, the dog unit and a helicopter to the scene after receiving the call at 6.52pm on Saturday.

They searched the area for those involved and recovered a weapon – described as similar to a hockey stick – as well as a bolt from a crossbow nearby.

One person was believed to have been injured in the face but would not speak to police and was not believed to have needed hospital treatment.

Thames Valley Police spokesman Chris Kearney said the incident was over by 11pm.

He said: “It was large scale public disorder. There was no suggestion that anyone was aiming the crossbow.

“There were people in possession of knives.”

Two local men were arrested, aged 22 and 24. They have been bailed to St Aldate’s police station until October 20.

Police only released details of the incident last night after repeated calls from the Oxford Mail.