Hunt for youths involved in Facebook brawl (From This Is Wiltshire)

A QUIET community in North Swindon has been left shocked after a mass brawl, organised through Facebook, took place in the streets.

Wiltshire Police are appealing for information following the large scale disorder in Haydon End, and are concerned there could be more similar incidents.

During the incident a teenager sustained a knife wound across the lower stomach, which required hospital treatment.

The incident happened on March 6, in a field close to Haydon End, between 7pm and 8pm.

Officers received several calls from members of the public stating that between 30 to 50 youths were seen gathering in and around residential streets in Haydon End including Prospero Way, Havisham Drive, Hardy Close and Mazurek Way.

Police were on the scene within minutes of the first call and a 16-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and released on conditional bail pending further enquiries.

Swindon CID are leading the investigation and know who the youths involved are but are asking for more information from residents.

Detective Sergeant Liz Coles, of Swindon CID, said: “We are treating this incident very seriously and we believe that this could escalate.

“There have already been reports of further incidents connected to this and we are putting sufficient resources into targeted patrols to ensure there are no further incidents of disorder or violence.

“Anyone using a social networking site to arrange a fight should be warned that we will be able track you down by your electronic footprint and that this is a serious offence on its own.

“I would also ask any parents who might have heard or seen something from their children to get in touch.”

A concerned mum, Kerry Williams, who has two children, said she saw the large group but did not realise they had caused any trouble.

She said: “I remember seeing lots of people outside milling about but did not see and trouble they all just seemed to be hanging around.

“It is worrying to think that someone was stabbed, especially when you have young children.

“Police have been around and it is good to see them taking it seriously, I hope it is just a one off incident.”

Chief Inspector Keith Ewart has moved to reassure residents that the area is safe.

“This was an isolated incident within a safe community and as such it is being treated seriously with a dedicated investigation team supported by the local neighbourhood policing team,” he said.

“Police in Swindon have worked hard with the community over the last year to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and, as a direct result of these efforts, we have seen the number of serious violent offences in Swindon drop by 23 per cent and the number of anti-social-behaviour incidents has fallen by more than 20 per cent in the same period.”

Anyone with information should contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.