POLICE are putting extra officers on the streets of Toothill this weekend after a night of trouble involving up to 40 youths.

Three people were assaulted and one reportedly shot with some kind of gun on an evening of violence that police hope is a one-off.

Residents say it was the climax of anti-social behaviour in the Toothill village centre and the surrounding area.

One 19-year-old was arrested yesterday and Insp Adrian Burt expects more to follow.

He said: "We had a number of reports of what was described as 30 to 40 youths causing a disturbance.

"We had five calls from members of the public in a short space of time, from 6.40pm to 8pm.

"There were youths in the area causing problems, a number of officers attended, whereupon the youths dispersed."

The trouble spilled over to Westminster Road and Luddesdown Road.

Insp Burt said: "They would appear to have been fighting among each other and shouting."

While residents in Toothill are used to youths gathering outside the shop on Thursday nights, trouble was on a much larger scale. "We have certainly not had that number of people before," Insp Burt said.

"We are hoping that it was an isolated incident. It's fair to say that there is a small number of people that are responsible for the majority of anti-social behaviour within the area and these are the people we are concentrating on. We will put out more staff over the weekend and make sure there isn't a reoccurrence."

John Farrow, landlord of the Village Inn in Toothill, said: "There were about 30 of them arguing amongst themselves, and a couple of them ran into the pub for safety.

"I called the police and the group dispersed. Then later in the evening an elderly gentleman said the youths were up his street and were causing a nuisance. He went out to tell them to stop and he said they fired a paintball gun at his head."

Mr Farrow said the man had a cut over his eye.

Coun Steve Wakefield, (Con, Toothill and Westlea) said: "I am absolutely taken aback by the fact that somebody would carry a firearm like that in the street, whether it is an airgun or a BB gun it is irresponsible."

He wants the entire shopping area redeveloped to deter yobs.

"The Toothill village centre has always been a magnet for young people," he said.

"The ward councillors have taken steps to make it safer. Trees have been cut back at the rear and there are regular graffiti cleans. I am pressing strongly to get that area completely rebuilt and upgraded."

Coun Wakefield said the council were investigating allegations of underage drinking at the centre.

But he added: "There is a group of people that congregate around the Toothill village centre, we are not talking about young children, we are talking about men and women."

One woman, who works at the village centre but did not want to be named, said: "It's getting worse around there. There's always been kids hanging around but not that many. I'm not surprised it all kicked off though, it was bound to happen."

Anyone with information can call Swindon police on 0845 408 7000.