FIVE teenagers were arrested after violence broke out in Bury town centre on Wednesday (June 27).

Between 25 and 30 people were involved in scuffles. Bottles and other missiles were thrown between gangs at the height of the trouble.

A group of young Asian males barricaded themselves inside a pool hall in Back Haymarket Street as a number of youths, black and white, tried to incite a fight with one of the teenagers.

Fighting did eventually break out and spilled over into Back Moss Street, although there were no reports of any injuries or damage to nearby properties.

Police were quick to quash any rumours of a connection with the racial troubles in Oldham and, more recently, Burnley. Superintendent Steve Westcott, deputy commander of Bury police, said: "This was not a racially-motivated incident. It was simply a disagreement between two individuals, from two different groups, which got out of hand.

"We have a wonderful relationship between all sections of the community in Bury and there was never any fear that Wednesday's incident was connected to troubles in neighbouring towns."

Police were initially called to the pool hall at 4pm following reports of a stand-off between two people from different gangs. Patrols were sent out to the area and dispersed the groups.

An hour later, trouble flared up again with Tactical Aid officers put on stand-by and the police force's helicopter mobilised to monitor isolated outbreaks of fighting between the groups.

Officers arrested five teenagers who will appear before magistrates in Bury today (Fri June 29) on violent disorder charges. The five comprise an 18-year-old from Whitefield, a 19-year-old from Radcliffe, two 17-year-olds from Unsworth, and a 19-year-old from the Rochdale area.