A LONG-RUNNING dispute between three East Oxford families has escalated to fights in the street.

People living in the area said they fear the feud has got out of hand after an incident when a 57-year-old man needed eight stitches in a cut to his head after a fight broke out at the junction of Catherine Street and Magdalen Road.

Police confirmed there had been several incidents between the three families, but said they had been unable to find a solution.

Last July, the dispute led to a teenager being seriously injured after being attacked with his own cricket bat but the case did not go to court due to a lack of witnesses prepared to give statements, said East Oxford area Inspector Brian Cooper.

The 57-year-old was attacked on January 18. Three people are on police bail while inquiries continue.

There were also a number of incidents in Magdalen Road between August and September last year, where threats and bad language were exchanged.

Insp Cooper said police knew who was involved but he would not identify them.

He added: "We are not managing to resolve it and the families are not co-operating and I would like anybody who witnessed anything to contact the East Oxford neighbourhood team at Cowley police station."

People living and working in the area are increasingly concerned.

James Dawton, who works at Magdalen Road Cycle Workshop, said: "I saw people standing watching and there was a guy with blood on his head.

"I'm surprised by what's happened."

Anthony Cheke, of Hurst Street, said: "This was quite a serious attack, with a crowbar, and a great deal more should be being done not only to stop it happening, but to bring these people to justice."

Stewart Wadforth, who runs Stewarts Butchers, said: "I'm shocked. There's stuff that goes on round here, but we don't get a lot of violence.

"I have been here 15 years but we have never had any violence like that."

Mark Kuzerm, 48, of Catherine Street, said: "It's disgraceful but it's a real problem round here.

"It sounds really horrible and it does frighten me."

But Insp Cooper insisted he believed there was little likelihood anyone else would be injured in the violence.

He said: "There's always the possibility if something is going on in the street that someone might intervene and get hurt, but I think it's quite a low risk.

"This is a matter between three families and I believe it will stay within those families."

When contacted by The Oxford Times, two of the families said they were innocent victims and the third refused to comment.

Anyone with information should call the police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.