A security guard has called a funfair incident “the worst I’ve ever seen at a children’s event” after nine teenagers were arrested and a police officer was injured.
The guard said he was among staff patrolling the funfair in King George Field in Mayfield and had been confiscating alcohol from youngsters when a bottle was thrown.
Police were called for back up when dozens of youngsters surrounded them, he said.
Nine teens were arrested at the funfair in King George Field in Mayfield after police were called to deal with the incident.
Now, a guard working at the event reported having bottles thrown and being surrounded by children with armed officers responding to suspicions about knives.
The security guard, who The Argus is choosing not to name, said: “A glass bottle got launched at us, that’s what started it all off.
“We had to call for extra support and it turned a bit volatile. That’s the worst incident I have ever seen at a children’s funfair.
“We were surrounded by about 80 kids at one point. There were rumours of knives but none were found or seen.”
The security guard added that armed units and dog units were called to the scene, with the funfair shut for around half an hour before it was deemed safe to continue.
Sussex Police previously said that nine teens had been arrested on suspicion of offences including assaulting an emergency worker and public order offences.
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Three have since been de-arrested while six were released on bail.
An officer suffered a “serious cut” to the face and required hospital treatment.
Inspector Matt Chapman said: "We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incidents in Mayfield on Saturday night or has any information about those involved.
"A dispersal order was put in place in the area aimed at preventing groups from gathering and committing offences and that remains in place on Sunday, September 17. We will have a continued police presence in the area and the dispersal order will be enforced as necessary."
Sussex Police were asked about the use of armed and dog units at the incident.
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