TROUBLE flared on Bournemouth seafront at the weekend after two gangs of youths apparently clashed near the pier.

The mother of one girl, an innocent bystander who was caught up in the late night violence, said her daughter was dragged by the hair and hit over the head with a bottle.

Police confirmed two groups of teenagers were involved in the disturbance - and that officers had launched an investigation.

The concerned mum, from Christchurch, who asked not to be named, told the Daily Echo how her 17-year-old daughter had visited the beach after attending a birthday meal in Bournemouth with friends.

She also praised workers at the nearby West Beach restaurant, who, she says, let her daughter into their premises and offered to help. However, she didn't report the incident to the police as her daughter was not injured.

“Bournemouth is becoming a bit of a no-go area,” said the mum. “There was more than 20 in the group, just attacking everyone. My daughter has been left traumatised by the whole thing.”

West Beach declined to comment when approached by the Echo.

However, a police spokesman confirmed: “At around 10.50pm on Saturday Dorset Police received a report of a disturbance involving two groups of teenagers in the area of Bournemouth Pier. Officers attended and on arrival found the two groups had dispersed. A 16-year-old boy reported that he had been assaulted.

“He did not have any visible injuries and did not require hospital treatment. No other injuries were reported and no arrests have been made. Officers are continuing to investigate the incident.”

The spokesman also stressed: "We have recieved no reprts of any assualt involving a glass bottle on a teenage girl and, as stated, no other injuries have been reported to Dorset Police."

Last month dozens of police officers rushed to an incident at Pier Approach during Bournemouth’s regular fireworks event. A 13-year-old boy who had been drinking alcohol was restrained by police at the scene.

After that incident, officers reminded teenagers visiting the Lower Gardens and Pier Approach that a designated public spaces protection order is in place prohibiting the consumption of alcohol.

Latest figures show police used force more times in central Bournemouth than anywhere else in Dorset.