POLICE have refused to confirm reports that a brawl involving 20 people near McDonald's in Boscombe was related to gang violence.

As reported, six people were arrested after the fight, which happened at 8.30pm on Friday, December 20. Police say some of those involved had knives and wooden sticks. No one was injured.

According to reports, the fight involved two gangs operating in Boscombe.

Officers were first called to reports of a fight involving some 20 people at 7.40pm that night. Nothing was found when officers arrived.

However, less than one hour later – at 8.32pm – a further report was received of a fight in Christchurch Road involving two groups of people.

A 16-year-old boy from Bournemouth, two 17-year-old boys from Swanage, a 17-year-old Bournemouth boy, and two men, aged 19 and 38 and both from Bournemouth, were arrested on suspicion of affray.

The 16-year-old boy was also arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article in a public place and one of the 17-year-old boys from Swanage was also arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

All six people have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police via dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55190199801.