FOUR people are to appear in court after being charged in connection with a mass brawl in Evesham earlier this year that police fear could have escalated had they not arrived on the scene quickly.

Up to 50 people were believed to have been involved in what the police branded "large-scale public disorder" on Saturday, April 26, when a number of fights broke out around the town centre after a night out.

The fights concerned a group of men and led to a couple of people being assaulted and two people suffering relatively minor injuries after a car was driven through a crowd of youths.

This sparked further disorder and the unattended motor vehicle was attacked and damaged.

Police have since been investigating the incident and have now charged four local people who will appear before Worcester Magistrates Court in December.

Two local youths have been charged with breaching criminal anti-social behaviour orders (CRASBO), affray and criminal damage to a motor vehicle.

Another two local men have been charged with criminal damage to a motor vehicle and affray, while one local man has been cautioned for criminal damage to a motor vehicle.

One man from Birmingham is still wanted by police in relation to further offences, including driving offences.

Janet Heritage, Wychavon Safer Neighbourhood Inspector, said they hoped this conveyed the message that police will not stand for this sort of behaviour.

"PC Laura Douglas has carried out a thorough investigation into the events that occurred on that evening," she said. "This has resulted in several local males being charged or cautioned with offences in respect of the disorder.

"This could have easily turned into something a lot more serious had officers not arrived at the scene so quickly.

"This was an unusual incident for Evesham and this enquiry shows that we will not stand for this kind of behaviour and those responsible will be held accountable for their actions."

All those charged are due to appear at Worcester Magistrates Court on Monday, December 22.