THE BATTLE OF DOCK ROAD
Gang warfare between rival skinheads spilled into a bloody battle on the streets outside a quiet pub on friday night. And the battle in Dock Road, Little Thurrock, left one teenager in hospital seriously hurt and damage estimated at £1,000 to the Bull Pub.
Now police are probing the cause of one of the worst outbreaks of street violence to hit Thurrock in recent years.They have not yet ruled out the possibility of a link between the violence and an article about a gang called the 'Tilbury Skins' in a national newspaper three weeks ago.
During Friday's running battle, the situation escalated into an all-out confrontation with one teenager losing part of an ear after it was bitten off.
Bricks and guttering being hurled through the windows of the Bull pub.
Youths fighting hand to hand with weapons stolen from a horse and cart nearby.
Customers and bar staff at the pub diving for cover after the bloody battle started in one of the bars.
On Monday shocked neighbours talked of the night of shame which they believe was provoked by a national newspaper article. One of them said "we have never had any trouble down here. It was terrifying - some of these skinheads had pick axe handles. The fighting seemed to start in the pub just before closing time and went on for some time. There was a lot of blood spilled."
Police are working on two theories for the 'Battle of Dock Road'.
Rival skins from Millwall in South London travelling to the area for a pre-arranged 'rumble' with the Tilbury Skinheads. Or a revenge motive from local 'boot-boys' jealous of the publicity given to a handful of Tilbury youths.
"But by blowing this kind of thing up in the newspapers only makes things worse. We just want to forget about it" he added.
If anyone has any information to help the police, it will be treated in the strictest confidence. Contact Grays CID on Grays Thurrock 76969.
Chief Supt Joe Bird said "We are always concerned about outbreaks of violence such as this and will do all in our power, as we normally do to contain such situations.
Aveley
Pensioners leaving a whist drive on Friday night were terrified by skinheads rampaging through their Aveley old folk's complex. It was the second night running that the youths had invaded the Sycamores complex, in Dacre Avenue, and on both occasions the police were called.
Warden at the complex, Mrs Josephine Cohen, said the gang was chasing two young boys on Thursday night who hid in the grounds of the complex.
"They were absolutely terrified. They came round to our complex to hide and were under one of the staircases."
Mrs Cohen called the police and asked the two boys to leave as she was worried about the residents living on the ground floor.
"The boys assembled in the complex and then dispersed and went running all over the village. I counted about 30 heads on thursday night. I think they must have taken the fence to bits up the road because they had bricks and wooden stakes in their hands which they dropped when the police came."
On Friday night the youths came through just as pensioners were leaving a whist drive held at the community hall in the complex. Mrs Cohen thought they were chasing someone again and she called the police.
"It frightens the old people. It is the noise these lads make and the language they use is absolutely terrible."
Later on Friday an 18 Foot caravan was overturned in neighbouring Purfleet Road (see picture).
The double glazing display caravan owned by Anglian Double Glazing, was a write off and together with stock inside, was worth about £3,500.
The caravan, which tours the area, had been open in Aveley for the past few days and salesman , Mr Terry Payne, laid the blame on the Skinhead gang.
Anyone who can help the police with their enquiries should call them on South Ockendon 2332. All calls will be treated in strictest confidence.
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