Police called to Stone Fete after 'brawl erupts' in crowd
12:51, 08 July 2019
updated: 14:57, 08 July 2019
Police were called to a community festival after a brawl between festival-goers erupted.
Officers headed to Stone Fete on Sunday, in London Road, Stone, at around 7.45pm to reports of fights breaking out at the event.
Eye witnesses told how they saw a group of 'drunk' people causing problems and throwing their drinks around, which reportedly hit children, before a physical confrontation started.
Sar Howard, whose husband and brother-in-law split up the fight, slammed the people fighting for ruining the event.
She said: "A group of people couldn't handle their drink and was throwing beer around which landed on everyone, including my one-year-old niece.
"We ended up moving back from where we were to protect the children and my grandmother who had heart surgery a few months ago.
"We told security about the problems and and a fight broke out after, which my husband, brother-in-law and other festival-goers had to break up.
"The group which started it were removed eventually but then let in five minutes later and a huge start erupted, which left a mans face covered in blood.
"Security were just pointing at people telling them where to escort the men, rather than doing it themselves."
"It's such a shame as it was going so well before that, everyone was having so much fun until this happened. - Sar Howard
Police spokesman Sally Smith said: "Police were called to London Road, Stone on Sunday, July 7, following a report of a disturbance.
"It is reported that a man assaulted a woman and made threats towards another man. Officers attended the scene and conducted a search, inquiries are ongoing."
Mrs Howard said there were children in the crowd when the fight broke out that were visibly scared.
The 34-year-old florist added: "My six-year-old nephew was crying because he thought my husband was hurt as the other man's blood was on him.
"It's such a shame as it was going so well before that, everyone was having so much fun until this happened."
Stone Parish council commented: "Stone Fete 2019 was a fantastic event for thousands of local people. It was a real shame that this otherwise trouble-free event was affected by a couple of people not able to resolve their differences in an appropriate way.
"This is not at all what is expected at a family event, however, this should not overshadow what has been a great day out for the vast majority.
"The council will fully review the event, and in particular this incident, to put in place any necessary measures and we sincerely apologise to anyone that may have been affected by this."
