Three people have been arrested following a gang fight in the centre of Kingston with one man seen wielding a machete.

The violence occurred in Clarence street yesterday – Tuesday – afternoon and is the second violent gang incident in Kingston in recent days.

Images posted on Twitter showed a man in a hoodie running through the street armed with what appeared to be a machete.

The borough commander for south west London Elisabeth Chapple tweeted about the incident following reports from alarmed residents, saying: "Rare for area but very concerning. We have a good amount of officers out tonight to prevent further issues."

The Met police said: "Police were called at 16:17hrs on Tuesday, 29 March to Clarence Street following reports of an incident involving a group of males, at least one of whom was seen armed with a machete.

"There were also reports that another male had been sprayed with a substance, which was later found to be water. He was not injured and has not been taken to hospital."

They added: "Specialist firearms officers were among those who responded.

"A male was quickly arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.

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"A second male was detained close to train tracks. He was also arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon. A third was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and affray."

Enquiries to locate a number of other males are ongoing. The police said there are no reports of any injured persons.

Norman Brennan, who is a south west London resident and was a police officer for over 30 years, pointed out there have been a number of recent stabbings and deaths. He responded to the incident in Kingston, saying: "Nowhere in Britain is safe anymore and this local borough of mine is meant to be the safest."

Just last week, police appealed for witnesses to a 'terrifying' gang fight in the middle of Kingston.

Families scattered and children were distressed as groups fought outside the American Candy Shop opposite to Bentalls department store.

One witness said: "Two rival gangs who were masked up kicked off … At one point one of them was thrown at full force at a shop window. It was very frightening.

"It was in full view of lots shoppers doing late night shopping with everyone gasping in shock.

"It was extremely violent and so odd for it to happen in such a busy area with so many people and security cameras to witness it."

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She said it only stopped when a number of passers-by stepped in.