Five suspects have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder following reports of a major disturbance involving weapons outside a Waitrose.

The fracas, in which people were allegedly spotted wielding axes and snooker cues, is said to have unfolded in the supermarket car park near St George’s Place, Canterbury, shortly after 6 pm yesterday.

Though police were unable to catch the large group of people at the scene, ambulance crews were later called to a property in Ashford to attend to the injuries of a man – incidents officers believe are linked.

The victim was taken to a London hospital and his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening, police say.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Kent Police was called to a car park near St George's Place at 6.08pm on September 28 following a report of an altercation involving a group of people. Officers attended but the group had dispersed.

“At around 7.25pm on the same evening, South East Coast Ambulance Service informed Kent Police that they had attended a report of a man injured at an address in Ashford.

“An investigation is ongoing but officers are treating the two incidents as linked and currently believe the man may have sustained the injuries during the earlier incident in Canterbury.”

Anyone with information who has yet to speak to officers is urged to call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting reference 46/174346/23.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or by using the online form on their website.