POLICE intervened and help disperse young people and calm down the situation after a clash in a village park last night (Friday, 30 September).

An alarm was raised around 6pm after a large groups of youths gathered at Gobions Park, East Tilbury, and began to fight. Residents say as many as 40 young people were involved.

The park is adjacent to the East Tilbury rail station, where residents recently called for an increase in security because of people travelling to the village to indulge in anti-social behaviour. Youngsters in the village have been victims of robbery from other young people travelling by train.

A statement from Essex Police says: "We received a number of reports of a disturbance in a park close to Princess Margaret Road, shortly before 6pm last night, Friday 30 September.

"It was reported that a group of young people were fighting.

"We arrived and engaged with a number of young people. During that engagement, no victims were identified and no injuries had been sustained. The group then dispersed and officers remained in the area for assurance."