Police have now issued an appeal for help after a teenager was seriously hurt following a series of fights, including a mass brawl involving armed men wearing facemasks and balaclavas.

One person was left with injuries to his face and leg after being attacked in Hartley in an assault thought to be connected with an earlier violent incident at the New Ash Green sports pavilion field yesterday.

Police were called at 3.50pm to reports of a fight involving a large number of people in the playing field and car park off Punch Croft Road.

Those involved are said to have been wearing face masks and balaclavas and were carrying weapons including baseball bats.

It has now emerged that the occupants of two cars, alleged to have been at the scene, were then involved in a separate incident a short distance away in Hartley, where an 18-year-old man was assaulted at the junction of Church Road and Gorsewood Road.

Police and ambulance crews attended, and the injured man was taken to a London hospital where he remains with injuries which are not believed to be life threatening.

Officers carried out searches at several locations which led to the recovery of a golf club and a sheath for a knife. A car abandoned in Barnfield Park was also seized.

Police are also carrying out house-to-house inquiries and exploring any possible CCTV opportunities.

Detective Chief Inspector Rachael Cumberland said: "We are treating these incidents as connected and believe those involved are known to each other.

"We also recognise the alarm and distress that public disorder such as this can cause to communities and will have enhanced patrols in these areas to hopefully provide further reassurance to residents.

"I would urge anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police to call us.

"Please also check any doorbell cameras you may have, or other home security CCTV systems which may contain important evidence.

"Drivers who may have been in these areas are also asked to check dash cams."

If you have information call police on 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/228823/20.

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

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