Sixth formers have been banned from pubs in Ampthill after a landlord was knocked to the ground and punched by a thug in a blue hoodie.
Youths went on the rampage outside the Queens Head in Ampthill, on Friday, May 12, 2023, night after being refused booze.
On Monday, May 23, Bedfordshire police said four youths had been arrested.
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A 44-second video circulated in the town showed angry teenagers punching and kicking each other, swearing and fighting in the street.
Girls in the group and older drinkers try to pull them apart. One man tells them: “You are out of order.”
The landlord Richard Hammond ended up on his back on the ground. A youth in a hoodie is seen crouching over him and delivering a right hook to his face, which left him with a broken nose that he managed to push back into position.
Richard said: “There was about 45 kids involved in it. One of them took a video and put it on social media and it has gone everywhere.
“The whole town is in shock and horror. At least 20 of them have been positively identified.”
He said the trouble was caused by 18-year-olds, who had shown their id, started buying drinks for underage youths outside.
He said: “I said to one: ‘You have just bought a drink. It’s not for you.’ He said: ‘Yes it is I just drink quick.’
“I followed him through and of course he had given it to one of the scallywags. They were all out in the street drinking from their own cans. I said: ‘That’s it. We will see you later. You have spoilt it for yourselves.
“In the process of me confiscating drinks, the fight started.
“I ended up rolling around. The next thing I know I am on the deck and two seconds later they broke me nose.
“I didn’t go to the doctor, but it hurts now when I blow it.”
Other pubs have rallied round Richard and banned all sixth formers from Redborne School in the town, who traditionally went out on the Friday before their A level study leave starts.
Richard, 63, said: “The repercussions are that all the pubs in Ampthill have gone to over 21s only. They have got no respect for anything.”
On its website the Albion pub said: “Due to the incident which happened on Friday, May 12, which I am sure most have seen circulating, all participants in that video are banned from the Albion for life along with their parents.”
One resident said: “The sixth formers were out because it was the end of teaching before they start their exams. It is a shame because they have spoilt it for everyone.”
Beds Police said: “We have made four arrests in connection with a violent disorder in Ampthill last Friday evening (May 12).
At around 9.40pm, officers were made aware of the incident in Woburn Street, which resulted in a man being assaulted and suffering from facial injuries.
“This weekend, a 19-year-old man and three 17-year-old boys were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in connection with the incident.”
Detective Sergeant Rachael Foy from Bedfordshire Police’s Crime Investigation Department said: “We know this incident was a huge concern within the local community and we have progressed with our investigation, resulting in the arrests of four people.
“Such violence in completely disgraceful and we won’t stand for it in our communities.”
All four were released on conditional bail pending further inquiries.
