ARRESTS have been made following reports of a mass brawl involving 20 people near the McDonald's restaurant in Boscombe.

It is alleged some of the participants were carrying wooden sticks and knives.

No-one was injured, police say, but six people have been arrested.

Now officers want to speak to any witnesses or anyone with information.

Initially, around 7.39pm on Friday, December 20, Dorset Police were called to reports of a fight involving 20 people near McDonald's on Christchurch Road.

However, when officers attended the scene they could not locate any disturbance.

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

This time police arrived and made several arrests.

Police Constable Stephen Hawke, of Bournemouth CID, said: "We believe that the two incidents may have been linked and I am appealing to anyone who witnessed either one to please get in touch.

“I would also like to ask residents with home CCTV systems or motorists who were in the area at the time to check their footage for anything relevant.”

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 at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55190199801.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.