Villagers are calling for a greater police presence after a family party turned into a brawl.

Several people needed medical attention after a fight broke out outside Jubilee Hall in Hoo.

Police were called to the scene, in Pottery Road, at about 9.30pm on Saturday after reports of three separate assaults.

It is thought a gang of youths from outside the village gate-crashed the family party, some wielding baseball bats.

One man suffered a broken hand and two other men suffered cuts and bruises.

Witnesses say they saw someone lying in the road and heard screaming and shouting.

In the fracas, the door to the hall was damaged and a toilet door in the ladies’ was kicked in.

Angela Gatfield, village hall secretary and parish councillor, said: “It is awful to think a nice family party has been turned into a horror event by mindless idiots who are coming in from outside the village causing trouble. There were young children at the party who were frightened and it has upset elderly people who live opposite the hall.

“The main door has been hit with a baseball bat and the lock was broken on a ladies’ toilet cubical door. This will all have to be replaced. We have been trying to fund-raise to make improvements to the hall and this has now set us back yet again.”

Villagers say this isn’t the first time they have had trouble with groups of youths from outside the area.

Cllr Gatfield added: “We have had a gang from Strood hanging around in the village on and off for some time. There always seem to be problems when they have been here. We had a temporary building set alight and break-ins at the village hall.”

“The police did arrive promptly on Saturday and we realise officers cannot be here 24/7, but we feel more police should be patrolling, especially at night.”

Medway Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward following the disturbance on Saturday night.

Det Con Heather Spencer said: “We are following a number of lines of inquiry into this incident that took place in the car park.

“I would urge anyone who witnessed the assaults or has information to come forward. I would also like to speak to a woman who was seen driving a red Ford Ka erratically in the area as she may know important details.”

If you can help, call Det Con Spencer at Medway Police Station on 01634 792525 or Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.