Passers-by were attacked when they tried to break up teenagers fighting on The Level in Brighton in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Officers were called at 1.35am following a report of a large fight involving a group of boys and girls aged between 16 and 18. They believe a 35-year-old woman was assaulted and when passers-by intervened to help they were also attacked.
A police spokesperson said: “These victims were simply walking past when they saw something happening and went to intervene. As a result, they were attacked.”
A 20-year-old man from Brighton received a fractured cheek and four other men – a 20-year-old from Ringmer, a 21-year-old from Forest Row, a 21-year-old from Haywards Heath and a 20-year-old from Lewes – also received injuries. Two others, a 20-year-old from Lewes and a 20-year-old from South Chailey, were uninjured but were pushed and struck.
The victims managed to leave The Level following the incident and called an ambulance.
The spokesman added: “If anyone witnessed what happened or who knows who the offenders are then we would urge them to contact police on 0845 60 70 999, quoting serial 162 of 26 June, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”
