Jack in the Green celebrations end in violence
Drunken yobs hurled empty glasses and bottles at paramedics and police as they tried to help an injured man after Jack in the Green celebrations descended into chaos.
A 50-strong mob gathered in George Street on Monday night as hundreds of bank holiday revellers gathered outside the area's bar were forced to cower in doorways and behind tables for protection.
In fact, by around 6pm, George Street had become a virtual no go zone, with the gang encamped in Butlers Gap. Many of the group were clambering up trees, street lights and anything else that offered them a vantage point over the throngs of boozed up fellow hooligans.
Some even shimmy'd up the maypole, which earlier in the day had been used by excited children, tearing down Jack in the Green decorations from up high.
Another, who had climbed up a drain pipe, needed medical attention after he slipped and fell to the floor. However, far from calming the crowd down, the arrival of an ambulance seemed only to add fuel to the fire, with yobs hurling bottles at the paramedics while they treated the injured man.
As police kept the mob at bay, the ambulance crew evacuated the man to the Conquest Hospital and he later discharged himself with no serious injuries.
The troublemakers - who were dancing maniacally in Butlers Gap, chanting and smashing glass as they went - were holed up in George Street for more than two hours.
Some, positioned on the walkway above Butlers Gap, poured beer on those below and threw empty cans at the gathered crowd.
Those underneath repayed the compliment by hurling missiles back up.
However, despite the ruckus creating substantial disruption, mess and upset and despite there being a significant police presence on the scene - amazingly not one person was arrested.
There was though, a visible police presence in the area for the remainder of the evening, with officers trying to contain the trouble.
Some time later the mob dispersed and no further injuries were reported.
Nevertheless, Jack in the Green organiser Keith Leech was appalled at the behaviour. Speaking in the aftermath of the trouble, Mr Leech said: "There was trouble of varying degrees in George Street on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
"Everyone goes out and has a drink but most of us don't end the night ripping down maypoles or throwing bottles and glasses.
"George Street used to be a really nice place to drink but since they have opened up two or three new bars it has attracted the low lives from the town centre and Old Town people are getting sick of it.
"It is such a shame that these people seem determined to ruin what is such a big thing for the community."
Council spokesman Kevin Boorman, who also played a key part in the festival, was equally upset. He told The Observer: "I was very disappointed about what happened in George Street on Monday evening, both professionally and privately.
"The Jack In The Green Festival is one of the biggest events in the town's calendar, organised entirely by volunteers, and has always been a great family occasion.
"Residents and visitors alike always look forward to it, not least because of its friendly atmosphere.
"It is a real shame that a group of young people - who I really don't think were involved in the event at all - should spoil it by their thoughtlessness and completely inappropriate behaviour."
Police Sgt Donald, who was one of the officers on the scene, confirmed "some high spirited revellers inadvisably decided to climb the maypole that had been left after the celebrations, and this had led to further climbing of trees and drainpipes in Butlers Gap which unfortunately led to this man's fall from the drainpipe".
He added: "It was disappointing to see that a few bottles and glasses were also thrown in the crowd while police and ambulance staff were attempting to help the fallen man."
The mini-riot was not the only blight on an otherwise successful weekend. Vandals also sprayed racist graffiti throughout the Old Town and on the visitors centre at Hastings Castle. Council staff managed to paint over the offensive slogans in the early hours of the morning, meaning the public were spared seeing it. Police caught a number of local youngsters who were subsequently questioned over the graffiti.
And in a later unrelated incident in George Street a 15-year-old boy was arrested for a Public Order offence. He was later bailed to return to Hastings Police Station in June.
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Weather for Hastings
Sunday 12 February 2012
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Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
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