Shop staff in Swindon have recalled a frightening incident in the town centre which led to drugs and weapons arrests.

A mass brawl broke out in front of stunned shoppers and passers-by at The Parade at around 3pm on Friday afternoon.

It began with groups gathering around the doorway to Costa Coffee and escalated in the pedestrianised shopping area, with a video seen by the Adver showing knives brandished by masked individuals and chairs used as weapons.

Two people were injured in the violence, which was broken up by brave members of the public.

A male who had been involved took refuge in a nearby shop before escaping through the back door.

One staff member who was working in a shop close by at the time spoke to the Adver about what they witnessed.

“One ran into the shop and then ran out of the back as he was trying to escape,” said the staff member, who wished to remain anonymous.

“He just ran in and ran out but he didn’t do anything while he was here.

“I haven’t seen anything like that before and the police didn’t tell us anything about what happened.

“When I got here this morning [Saturday], the police cordon had gone and there was nothing to see.”

Wiltshire Police has since arrested five people in connection with the incident including three men aged 18, 19 and 21 from the Hounslow in London.

A 17-year-old male from Wroughton was also arrested while so too was a 20-year-old man from Swindon.

The force revealed that all five suspects have been released on conditional bail.