A council warden who single-handedly tried to stop a gang battle in the town centre has been put forward for a commendation.

Mark Pesckett, who has worked as a neighbourhood enforcement officer (Neo) since the scheme’s inception in 2007, fearlessly waded into the middle of a fight raging between the Don’t Say Nothing gang and the Shine My Nine gang on February 19.

He entered into the fracas, which sent shoppers ducking out of the way, and tried to calm gang members as they fought a pitched battle in North End.

He said: “My only real thought was to calm things down as quickly as possible to make sure that nobody got hurt.

"In a situation like that you have to rely on instinct and training.

"I was gutted to see the busker’s violin smashed, but I’m just glad nobody was injured.”

Councillor Steve O’Connell, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic development commended the Neo’s bravery at a cabinet meeting on Monday, March 15.

Coun O’Connell said: “I think the Neos were a great idea from the start and I am really impressed at the level of professionalism that this Neo showed.

"He went over and above the call of duty and bravely intervened in a dangerous situation.

“I am extremely proud and have asked the borough commander, Adrian Roberts, to have him commended for his bravery.”

The fight outside of the Whitgift Shopping centre involved up to 30 youths armed with anything they could find.

The youths battled it out, grabbing chairs and even a busker’s violin but Mr Pesckett stood his ground and calmly and assertively tried to calm the situation.