A MASS drunken brawl, involving more than 15 people, erupted at Basildon railway station.

Special constables, who were carrying out a drink-drive operation at the nearby Festival Leisure Park, were drafted in after worried passers-by raised the alarm.

Initial reports suggested that two men were fighting by the ticket office, but as the officers were driving to the scene, further reports came in to say that the fight had expanded and now involved six men.

However, by the time they got to the station, a matter of minutes later, a group of more than 15 people, who had all clearly been drinking, were fighting.

Multiple people received cuts and bruises - and officers managed to arrest one man on suspicion of actual bodily harm.

Special constable Ricky Brown, who is part of Basildon’s local policing team, said: “It started when we got a call that two people were fighting but when we got there, there was God knows how many people - more than 15 people were involved at least.

“There were three pockets of people - a couple of men and a large number of females.

“What made things worse is that every single person was intoxicated.

“There were a few people with minor injuries - just cuts and bruises and marks, things like that.”

A passer-by, who didn’t want to be named, said: “It was pretty nasty. And still rather busy around the station area at that time. I think more people should have been arrested.”

It is not thought that anyone injured required hospital treatment.

A 25-year-old man was the only arrest.

He was held on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm and was taken to Basildon police station for questioning.

He has now been released on police bail until January 18.

British Transport Police officers also attended the scene and took over the incident, which kicked off at about 11.30pm on Saturday.

Anyone with any information about what happened can call Essex Police on 101 or alternatively you can call crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.