A CAR was smashed with baseball bats after a brawl broke out in the street.

Police are appealing for information about the fight after terrified members of the public dialled 999.

The incident in Woodgrange Drive, Southend, took place at about 1pm on Tuesday.

Some of the men involved were seen fleeing the scene in a white car heading towards Shoebury.

A short time later, the vehicle was picked up by an automatic number plate recognition camera on the A127 as it headed out of Southend.

It was pulled over by police and two men were arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon.

Sgt Kayleigh Webster, from Southend police, said: “We received several calls from members of the public in Woodgrange Drive, Southend, reporting a large fight between males who were in possession of baseball bats.

“A rear window to a Ford was smashed in. The suspects made off in a white vehicle and police attended the area and searched but there was no trace.

“Several minutes later the vehicle then activated cameras trying to leave Southend and was seen by police, whereupon it was stopped.

“Two males from London were detained, searched and arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a motor vehicle and being in possession of an offensive weapon.”

A resident of Woodgrange Drive, who did not want to be named, told the Echo there was a confrontation on the corner of Arnold Avenue on Saturday which could be linked.

She said: “There was something going on, some kind of fight. A lot of people were looking on but as far as I know police were not involved in that.

“I didn’t see a car being smashed up but I heard about it and I know the police were driving up and down.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police were contacted with reports of a disturbance in Woodgrange Drive in Southend.

“It was reported that two men were seen to damage a Ford Galaxy with baseball bats before making off in a Mercedes which pinged on ANPR on the A127.

“Police attended and arrested a 24-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon.

“They have since been released from custody without charge.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101.