FIVE people were arrested after more than 50 were involved in a mass street brawl in Cowley Road in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

About 15 police cars were sent to contain the trouble and reports indicate one man was stabbed in the buttocks.

As most of the county celebrated the New Year peacefully, dozens of revellers turned violent at an ‘urban’ event at The Regal nightclub.

The club was forced to close its doors early and has vowed to end all events of that kind for the immediate future.

One resident, who witnessed the incident from his front window, described the scene as “chaotic”.

The father-of-one, who did not wish to be named, said: “There were hundreds of people in and out of the club, fighting in the streets and more police cars than I’ve ever seen, at least 15.

“I think there must have been about 50 people out there fighting.

“To be honest, I found it upsetting. I have a wife and a young daughter and you don’t expect this kind of thing in Oxford.”

Police said they were called to the incident at 2.24am, and sent “significant resources” to deal with the violence.

They also received reports that a man was stabbed in the buttocks, but a victim has not yet come forward.

Five people were arrested for public order offences.

The eye-witness added: “It sounds bad, but maybe it will take something like this to make the council and police do something. This isn’t the first time we’ve had big trouble on Cowley Road.”

Nuala Young, city councillor for St Clements, has long campaigned for stricter drinking rules in East Oxford following a string of late-night incidents.

In October, she and local residents backed a Government ‘pub tax’ that would let local authorities demand a ‘late-night levy’ for measures such as street cleaning and extra police patrols.

Last night, she said: “This shows that all our efforts to stop drinking and violence aren’t working.

“There needs to be a national move to curb drinking, because judges, doctors and police all say it is getting too much.”

In October, two people were stabbed in Cowley Road in separate attacks.

In the first, a 31-year-old man was slashed across the face in the public toilets.

And just six days later, a 20-year-old was stabbed during an argument outside the Hobgoblin pub.

Ms Young said: “It’s not just Cowley Road. George Street is as bad.”

The Regal installed a metal detecting knife arch at its front door for November’s Urban Love Bonfire Party to prevent weapons being brought into the club.

Last night, Niaz Ali, manager of The Regal, said: “Unfortunately our New Year’s Eve event came to a premature end due to a small minority of people who seemed determined to ruin everyone else’s night.

“A number of incidents occurred simultaneously within the venue, which door staff contained, and moved to the front door where these people became overly aggressive.

“We put these events on in good faith with large amounts of effort and planning.

“No-one is more disappointed with the outcome than ourselves.”

He added: “This will be the last event of this kind that we hold at The Regal until we see a change in atmosphere.”