Police were involved in a violent clash outside a Croydon town centre pupil referral unit (PRU) when a fight got out of control just before midday.

One officer was attacked by up to eight youths when police were called to Croydon High Street this morning, witnesses say.

Police were called and witnesses say one officer was on the floor with up to eight youths kicking and punching him.

About 20 police officers were soon on the scene and hauled one of the youths into a nearby restaurant to get him away from the fight.

The pupil referral unit is set up and run to provide education for children with behavioural problems who cannot attend mainstream schools.

Albino Serrao, owner of Galicia tapas bar, saw the fight.

He said: "When it was going on the policeman engaged the youths then most of the youths were on top of the policeman hitting, kicking him and punching him.

"I thought I had better go out and give him a hand but he started defending himself. There were a lot of kids maybe eight of them, there was a big guy he was massive about 6 feet 2in and 120kg.

"The policeman cut his hand in the fight - that bloke's got guts.

"There was blood everywhere in the front door of our restaurant the policeman brought one of them in here.

"The council needs to move them out of the High St, they have got no playground, the street outside is their playground."

Maureen Silverstin, who works at Walker and Cripp stockbrokers, said: "This isn't the first time this has happened, they are always fighting.

"We saw a fight down Thanet Place, four or five lads were running and taking turns in booting a boy in the head.

"It is getting to the point now where there are gangs of youths hanging about on the street intimidating people.

"Struggling businesses around here don't know what to do, they are losing business."

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